A Reality Check With ... Jimmy Arguello & Faina Savich (FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance"

Last night, the journey ended for two more dancers: contemporary dancer Jimmy Arguello & Latin ballroom dancer Faina Savich. They’re here to talk to RealityCheckByGina about their time on the show, their advice for the partners they left behind, and what the future holds for these two talented dancers.

RC: Can you each tell me about your dance background & training?
Jimmy: I started dancing when I was 12 in middle school then went to get formal training: hip hop, ballet, modern, lyrical, samba. I trained for the last 8 years. I’ve now moved on to another studio where I teach.
Faina: I started to dance in Russia when I was 9. First, it started out as Russian folk dancing which was part of a school program. My brother started & then my mom took me to the same thing. We had a teacher who was a ballroom dancer & he started to do something different with us. We also continued to dance outside of school.

RC: What was the experience like of trying out for So You Think You Can Dance?
Jimmy: This is my second year trying out. Last year, I made it to Vegas. When they were picking the top 20, they told me my samba wasn’t good enough & it wasn’t ready. I had to go back & I really made sure I was taking these classes so when I came back this year, I was ready! Look at me now, it definitely paid off.

Faina: The audition process was really, really stressful. It was just because I was nervous & excited with a mix of emotions. It’s very, very intense. You don’t see that on tv but the way the audition process is going – you have to dance, then wait, then people are eliminated – and you never know who’s going to be next. You’re trying to do your best & use every minute to practice so you can show more. It’s so stressful so because of that, I had difficulties. I forgot to drink water, I was dehydrated. My brother told me, “Don’t forget to drink water!”

RC: I heard that Jessi also suffered from dehydration this week. Is she ok?

Faina: Yeah you can’t forget to take care of yourself. Jessi … she’s ok now.

RC: Jimmy, were you surprised that another trained dancer was sent home in favor of uniqueness?

Jimmy: I really was surprised because the past two seasons, they were always sticking up for the all-around dancers. For some reason, this season, they’ve changed & they’re looking for uniqueness. I’m unique, I think everybody is unique! It was hard especially since it was his second time in the bottom three. I love Cedric but I had gotten such great feedback from the judges & I was never in the bottom 3.

RC: Faina, did you think you would have an advantage with the fans because you are Stanislav’s sister?

Faina: I didn’t know. I think he did a great job & he has fans but I don’t wanna be considered JUST his sister. The first time I was on the show, that’s what I was called. I don’t know if it’s an advantage or not. Every dancer, we had a chance to show ourselves & people started to see me as me.

RC: You were both very emotional at the end of last night’s episode. Was this a great experience for you?
Jimmy: It has been! Getting to know all these dancers & getting so close to them … I think that’s why I was getting emotional. The other hard part was watching Mary cry because I know she was behind me & supported me.
Faina: It has been amazing, just an amazing experience. I don’t even know where to start! We learned so much just being around these people & being on the show. It still freaks me out, the idea of the show. The judges were very supportive & the choreographers & contestants. We spent a lot of time together but quite a short amount of time.

RC: Are there any choreographers you wish you got to work with on the show?
Jimmy: Brian Freedman, definitely Brian Freedman. I’ve taken class with him but I would’ve loved to have worked with him. He’s amazing, amazing, amazing at what he does.

Faina: Yeah, Mia Michaels. Yeah, of course…

RC: What dancers in this competition really impressed you?

Jimmy: They’re all so good! Everyone has worked so hard. I loved everybody! It’s so early in the competition, you don’t know yet…

Faina: Honestly, every single one is stand out for me because they’re all very different & for each dancer, I can tell you why they’re great for me.

RC: There are stories all over the internet & in magazines calling “So You Think You Can Dance” the hottest show of the summer. Why do you think the show is so successful?

Jimmy: I think everybody is so drawn to it because it’s so hard to be exposed as a dancer in this industry. To have this show support dancing & the community … and to watch people on the show, see the choreographers … you’re drawn to it. I was hooked on it last year seeing the people I knew.
Faina: I think the show is so successful because everyone, no matter what you do or who you are, can relate to it. Every person loves to dance whether they do it or not or know about it or not. It’s in us, it’s really in us! The show is so educational & it’s for kids, teenagers, adults. It’s fun & entertaining & they have the best choreographers, dancers, everything!

RC: Do you have any words for your partners who are still on the show?

Jimmy: Oh my gosh! I was blessed to be partnered with her. I had such a great time with her, I really wish her the best. I want her to keep her head up & keep doing what she does.

Faina: I would say that Cedric is really, really unique. Working with him & being with him for these 2 weeks, I would advise him to try different things & learn from anyone. He really has the talent, as the judges say.

RC: We see former season 2 contestants coming back to watch tapings – will we see you two in the audience?
Jimmy: Oh most definitely, I’ll be here next week supporting. You’ll see my goofy face. I want people to recognize who Jimmy was.

Faina: Yeah, yesterday I was so sad because I had to leave. Today, I was like, “Okay, I’m going to stay another week.” And then I decided to stay until the end of the show. I’ll probably go to New York for a week and then come back.

RC: Did you get a chance to watch back last night’s episode?
Jimmy: No I did not yet.
Faina: No no, not yet.

RC: What is the experience like after you are voted off? Do you have much time to say your goodbyes?
Jimmy: Everything is really rushed because they have to go do interviews & the dancers have to get ready for the next week. They still have to keep on going & I have their numbers so I can get in contact with them. But the show must go on!
Faina: It ended so quick! I can’t say I was really surprised or disappointed. You never know & someone always has to go. I was just sad I would be leaving. I’m not as upset anymore.

RC: What do you plan to pursue now that you are done with the show?
Jimmy: Well, I do have to go back home & see my family & friends. I’ll be moving out here to L.A. & working with some choreographers. Hopefully I’ll be getting some jobs going on tour. That would be great! You’ll see more from me.

Faina: When the show will be over, I’ll go back to New York. I don’t know… my parents & grandparents are there. I don’t think I’ll move anywhere. I don’t want to compete anymore so I’ll pursue a career in dancing no matter what it is.

Another exciting episode of So You Think You Can Dance airs Wednesday night on FOX

Get your dancing links at sirlinksalot.net!

Pirate Master: Revenge Is The Name Of The Game (6/21/07)

The pirates are back tonight in an all-new episode of Pirate Master along with Azmyth, who brings along his ridiculous accent. Last week, Jay bribed Sean to vote for Cheryl instead of Alexis at pirates court. We learn that Sean went back on his word and now, Jay is out for revenge. Revenge also motivates Louie to continue to gun for Joe Don. While the men are hell bent on ousting each other, the women are fed up with Nessa, who uses her flirtations to win over the opposite sex.

As usual, the pirates will be split into two crews for tonight’s treasure hunt: the captain & his officers will be part of the black crew while the red crew opposes. The black crew will be Azmyth, Jay, Jupiter, Laurel, Christa, Cheryl, and Joe Don while the opposing red crew is comprised of Louie, Ben, Joy, Kendra, Nessa, and Sean. The pirates must row to shore to find a trail into the jungle where they will find the opportunity to sabotage. From there, they head to the croc’s head landmark where they’ll find their next clue. The seemingly weaker red crew is surprisingly keeping a good pace with the black crew but the black crew gets to the sabotage first.

With the black crew maintaining a good lead, they head to the next part of the hunt, leading them back to a nearby canyon to find the treasure. The red crew is behind but stays positive, in hopes that the black crew has made a mistake. Their prayers are answered & Azmyth has led the team on a wild goose chase all over the island, costing the black crew the money … and the power. Once again, a new captain must be voted on & I couldn’t be happier that Louie is unanimously chosen. Sean & Nessa are chosen as Louie’s officers & Louie receives a bonus, a pardon from pirate’s court. The other pirates may bid on it before he marks the others for elimination.

When it’s time for the officers to hand out black spots, Azmyth, Cheryl, & Joe Don have been marked for elimination. All of those marked have been so for personal reasons which doesn’t sit well with all the pirates. Azmyth is chosen to stand in front of pirates and be judged as a former captain, Cheryl has been picked for her association with Joe Don, and we all know why Louie has chosen Joe Don: for his selfish actions as the first captain. Before a pirate can be cut adrift, the highest bidder of the pardon is named: Joe Don, who spent $7,000. His money is wasted and before the next elimination, he must sell it. Cheryl (who didn't bid on the pardon) receives the most votes & is cut adrift.

Check back tomorrow on RealityCheckByGina, I’ll be talking to Cheryl about her time on Pirate Master.

A new episode of Pirate Master airs Thursdays at 8pm EST on CBS.

Get your Pirate Master links, matey, at sirlinksalot.net

So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 18 (6/20/07)

Last week, we witnessed the departures of contemporary dancers Ashlee Langas & Ricky Palomino. Which pair will be the next to go? It’s up to you to keep your favorite dancers in the competition. Tonight’s Top 18 will be judged by Nigel, Mary, and contemporary choreographer Mia Michaels, who voiced her upset at Ricky & Ashlee’s dismissal last week. Nigel encouraged the viewers to vote for dancers regardless of training or background. We’ll see who earns our votes tonight. I received many emails last week from readers asking me for the names of songs featured on the episodes so … ask & ye shall receive!

Lauren & Neil – Hip-Hop choreographed by Dave Scott (“The Way I Are” by Timbaland): This piece is right up Lauren’s alley & sends Neil into uncharted waters. Though it’s danced well, it mostly fails to capture my interest until Neil starts showing off his bag o’ tricks. It’s a shame since I think they’re both brilliant when they dance solo in their style. Mia feels there was a big improvement from last week & said she could’ve done without Lauren, Mary felt the chemistry that was missing last week, and Nigel loved them both. To vote for Lauren & Neil, call 1-888-TEMPO-01.

Jessi & Pasha – Jazz choreographed by Tyce Diorio (“Stiff Jazz” by dZihan & Kamien): Who can forget Heidi & Travis’s African-inspired piece last season? Tonight’s pair are very in sync with one another & put on a very entertaining performance. The two just have the charisma it takes to make it far in this competition. Mia went from not feelin’ Pasha in Vegas to being very proud of him, Mary thought it was terrific, and Nigel praises both for showing range in their dancing abilities. To vote for Jessi & Pasha, call 1-888-TEMPO-02.

Jaimie & Hok – Samba choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux (“Bang Bang To The Rock n Roll” by Gabin): If you didn’t know Hok was a hip-hop dancer, you’d think ballroom was his forte. The guy is by far my favorite in the competition – he can do anything! He & Jaimie have great chemistry & work extremely well together. Mia found it amazing especially since neither have ever danced samba, Mary has to disagree & said it didn’t “cut the mustard”, Nigel felt it was a great performance with some technical things that need work. To vote for Jaimie & Hok, call 1-888-TEMPO-03.

Sabra & Dominic – Contemporary choreographed by Mandy Moore (“I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders): Sabra is fittingly a contemporary dancer but Dominic is a b-boy so this is quite a stretch for him. The piece is about men & women shown through animals & it’s pulled off with flying colors. Hopefully, they’ve done enough to pull them out of the bottom groups. Mia tells Dominic that he is what this competition is about, Mary felt the partnering was really there & loved the piece, and Nigel commends Dominic for taking this competition so seriously … so seriously he shaved his toes for this piece! To vote for Sabra & Dominic, call 1-888-TEMPO-04.

Faina & Cedric – Fox Trot choreographed by Hunter Johnson (“You’re The Boss” by Elvis Presley & Ann-Margret): With no formal training, it will be interesting to see how Cedric will fare in this very technical style of dance. Faina, on the other hand, is right at home with a ballroom style. Cedric looks good & is a solid partner for Faina but technically, has things to work on. The judges are harsh: Mia says that while Cedric is brilliant but expected more, Mary criticizes Cedric’s technique & tells him to pick it up, and Nigel fears these two will find them in the bottom 3 again this week. To vote for Faina & Cedric, call 1-888-TEMPO-05.

Lacey & Kameron – Broadway choreographed by Tyce Diorio (“All That Jazz” from the Chicago soundtrack): Lacey & Kameron are my favorite pair in the competition & they’ve got the dancing chops to go all the way this season. The two have amazing chemistry on & off the dance floor. Their routine is fun, energetic, and is a hit with the audience! Mia calls them the sexiest couple but wanted more pizzazz, Mary loved it, and Nigel said it looks like they’ve been dancing together for years. To vote for Lacey & Kameron, call 1-888-TEMPO-06.

Anya & Danny – Viennese Waltz choreographed by Hunter Johnson (“You & Me” by Lifehouse): Both dancers admit they have no idea what the Viennese Waltz is so tonight should be interesting for the pair. They have much to live up to as Jessi & Pasha really nailed this genre last week. Technically, these two are pretty flawless & though I could’ve done with a different costume/hairstyle for Anya, they give the audience a strong, romantic performance. Mia found the piece gorgeous & stunning, Mary calls it absolutely beautiful & lets out her signature scream, and Nigel says it’s the routine of the night. To vote for Anya & Danny, call 1-888-TEMPO-07.

Shauna & Jimmy – Hip-Hop choreographed by Dave Scott (“U Sexy Girl” by Fat Man Scoop): Dave Scott incorporates stepping in tonight’s routine with the rookie hip-hop dancers. The two give it all they got & dance to impress. I’m surprised at how well they pull off the routine. I wish they didn’t mic the stepping – because of the delay, it sounded like they were off the music when they were not. Mia wants to see Shauna let go a little more, Mary feels the pair stepped up from last week, and Nigel calls it the f word: “fun”. To vote for Shauna & Jimmy, call 1-888-TEMPO-08.

Sara & Jesus – Pasa Doble choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux (“We Will Rock You” remix by Queen): I’m not sure I like the combination of song & choreography but there’s no denying the talent that Sara & Jesus bring to the table. However, the dance doesn’t deliver the way last week’s Broadway routine did. They definitely set the bar high for themselves in week 1. Mia found the routine awkward, Mary liked the choreography & praises both dancers, and Nigel was glad the duo stuck to the style of the dance. To vote for Sara & Jesus, call 1-888-TEMPO-09.

Time to vote!
Tune in tomorrow night for the live results show at 9pm EST on FOX
Get your dancin’ links at sirlinksalot.net

So You Think You Can Dance: Preview

Idol Thoughts has revealed which dancers will be dancing in which styles tonight. If you want to get a sneak peek at tonight's episode, you can read it HERE.

Also, TV Guide is calling So You Think You Can Dance THE hot show of the summer - and it just keeps getting better. Check out the story!

Don't forget to check back here tomorrow for a recap of tonight's hot, hot, hot episode & Friday, I'll be talking to the eliminated dancers.

A Reality Check With ... Clay Bowen (Bravo's "Top Chef")

Clay Bowen says he is just a good ol’ boy from Southern Mississippi. Not a culinary graduate, Clay has learned all his skills from working his way up in various kitchens and has no doubt he has an innate talent. He says it is about time the South gets represented and he wants to be the one to do it. It's never easy to be the first one to go on a reality show but Clay sits down with RealityCheckByGina to discuss his experience on Bravo's Top Chef.

RC: Tell us a little bit about your cooking background.
Clay: I actually started cooking when I was 18 before going into college. I start cooking at an italian deli & eventually at City Grocery, which is fine dining restaurant in Mississippi. I worked my way up the ladder & eventually became a sous chef at University Club in Santa Barbara.

RC: There are a lot of cooking shows out there. What drew you to Top Chef?
Clay: I had seen the previous seasons & thought, "I can do that!" I tried out at the open call in L.A. & kept getting called back for interviews. I liked the situations the chefs were put in & the spontaneity of the show. There was such intense competition & I really liked the caliber of the contestants & judges.

RC: How did you feel you stacked up against your competition?
Clay: I feel I stacked up just fine & I still stack up. I think I stack up 100%.

RC: In the surf & turf challenge, you chose wild boar & scorpion fish to work with. What was your initial reaction to those ingredients?
Clay: I wasn't sweatin' the wild boar, I had worked with it before. I hadn't worked with scorpion fish but I've worked with enough fish & it was fine.

RC: Howie doesn't get his full dish plated & Dale chooses ingredients he's never tasted. Were you surprised you were the one to go home?
Clay: In all honesty, yeah. Yeah, I was. I was floored. I read the rules & that's all I'm gonna say.

RC: Did you feel the judges were too hard on you?
Clay: That's their job to be judgemental - they're judges! I know it sounds childish but ... sticks & stones, you know? They're just words.

RC: You didn't get to stay very long but did you have the time to establish relationships?
Clay: Yeah, very much so. It was amazing how well I got along with everyone.

RC: What chefs impress you? Who should we keep our eye on this season?
Clay: Hung seems to be the one to keep his eye on. My boy Brian seems to be bringin' it too even though he was in the bottom 4 last week.

RC: What have you been doing since you got home?
Clay: I've been right back to work. It's our busy time now, starting right when I got off the show. I have some business endeavors back home. I'm going to be headed there after Christmas.

RC: What's the reaction been like from your family & friends since you've been on the show?
Clay: Nothin' but full support ... and outrage! Let's just say Howie shouldn't go to Mississippi anytime soon! I like the guy but ... he shouldn't go to Mississippi.

A new episode of Top Chef airs tonight on Bravo at 10pm EST

Get your Top Chef links while they're hot at sirlinksalot.net!

A Reality Check With ... Joanna Dunn (FOX's "Hell's Kitchen")

Joanna Dunn, 22, is a chef's assitant from Detroit. She was sent home last night for attempting to serve rancid crab (unbeknownst to her). She takes some time to tell the readers of RealityCheckByGina why she shouldn't have been the one to go & why the customers of Hell's Kitchen can't get a meal to save their life.

RC: What is your background in cooking?
Joanna: When I was in high school, I graudated a year early. There was an odd year before college so I took ProStart which is a culinary program offered in high schools. I got certified & moved to Louisiana to start my career. I had experience - my dad was a regional produce manager & my grandmother owned a produce store.

RC: What made you a good candidate to win Hell's Kitchen?
Joanna: I have a really non-traditional background working for Viking Appliances. I've had exposure to different cooking techniques & styles. When you work in a restaurant, you see the same menu every day & work with the same people every day. I have experience with working with a wider variety of foods & that gives me a 1-up on people. I've worked with all different kinds of chefs, including celebrity chefs, and people.

RC: I've asked Eddie, I've asked Tiffany, now I'll ask you. What was Aaron's deal?

Joanna: Aaron is a really good person with good intentions. I think he was overconfident in his skills & what he could do. You have to take care of yourself or you can't succeed. You have to live what you do - put good food in your body, stay hydrated. You have to live it or not do it.

RC: You ultimately were sent home for almost serving rancid crab? How does rancid crab make its way into the kitchen? Don't you trust the ingredients you're given to work with?
Joanna: You have to go in & do quality control. On the shows I've worked on, when the chefs come in, it better be right. It's my fault for not double checking, though.

RC: What's worse: serving rancid crab or picking spaghetti out of the garbage to serve to customers?
Joanna: The rancid crab was an unconscious thing. I didn't realize. Jen consciously threw out the spaghetti & consciously washed it off. You can't pull a Paris Hilton & say you were psychologically impaired! I didn't think I was going home.

RC: What does the women's team need to do in order to continue winning?
Joanna: They need to make a team effort. They need to have communication, confidence, and get it done. The best experience I had was learning to work as a team.

RC: Why can't anybody get a dish out in Hell's Kitchen?
Joanna: It's quality controlled. Chef Ramsay tastes every dish that goes out to customers. In a restaurant, they're not doing quality control of every plate. If they did, imagine how long it would take you to get served!

RC: What chefs are you rooting for?
Joanna: I like everybody! You'll have to tune in to see who wins. This is the who's who of the culinary world, the best of the best.

RC: What does the future hold for you?
Joanna: I'm shopping around, there are some people who want me to come in about my own cooking show. I'm still teaching in Atlanta.

A new episode of Hell's Kitchen airs Monday nights on FOX at 9pm EST

Get your Hell's Kitchen links, you (bleep), at sirlinksalot.net!

Hell's Kitchen: Why Can't Anybody Cook? (6/18/07)

The dust hasn’t settled from the last elimination & Josh is still upset that his name is called. Meanwhile, the women continue to enjoy their last win, vowing to keep the streak going. Both teams head to bed for a good night of sleep … but a good night of sleep is not what they get. They are woken up at 6am by Reveille and must be get dressed quickly to head downstairs so they can make a proper military breakfast. What a surprise – there’s work to be done & Aaron doesn’t feel well. In fact, he moves so slow that two of the guys have to dress him! Only in Hell’s Kitchen.

The red team will be cooking for the Army while the blue team cooks for the Navy. The first team to serve all 50 people wins the challenge. The women seem very organized with Julia leading the team while Aaron tries to step up on the blue team to make omelets. 17 minutes into breakfast, the women have served 20 of their guests while the blue team has served no one, thanks to Aaron. Josh & Brad pick up the slack & start moving food out of the kitchen to the tables.

The women’s strong start slows down quickly as they start producing raw & undercooked food. The men are even worse & Julia is sent over to get some food to the Navy. Julia can’t save them & once again, the blue team suffers a loss. Their punishment is to prep food for an entire military base … over 1000 pounds worth of produce! The women, on the other hand, get to take a helicopter ride to an aircraft carrier where they receive a tour & earn quality time with Chef Ramsay.

It’s around that time in the blue kitchen. There’s work to be done. Cue Aaron, who goes down for the count the minute it’s time to prep. Paramedics are called in & he is rushed to the hospital. The remaining men continue to argue & once again, no leader emerges. Once the prepping is over, the men have a meeting to try to determine a leader. The only problem is – EVERYONE wants to be a leader. Finally, Brad is voted as the team leader & hopefully, he can get the team a needed victory.

In the hospital, Aaron receives a phone call from Chef Ramsay but the news is not good. On doctors’ orders, he is too ill & may not return to the kitchen to compete any further. Dinner service, and life, must go on without Aaron, who provided lots of drama in Hell’s Kitchen. We’ll miss you, Aaron.

At dinner service, the blue team begins to turn it around while the red team can’t seem to get one appetizer out. The red team feels the wrath of Chef Ramsay: Bonnie serves raw food while Joanna serves rancid crab. I’m not sure I want a table in Hell’s Kitchen anymore! On the other side, when the blue team serves a raw egg, Chef Ramsay slams it right into Vinnie, who needs to be held back by Rock. However, perhaps the worst act is committed by Jen who picks spaghetti out of the trash, washes it off, and attempts to serve it to customers. Julia catches it but does not tell Chef Ramsay. Yeah, I definitely don’t want a table in Hell’s Kitchen.

When customers begin walking out, Chef shuts down Hell’s Kitchen. He feels there is no winning team but since he must name a loser, he chooses the red team for their embarrassing mistakes. The red team has to decide which 2 will be nominated for elimination as opposed to one person choosing. Joanna suggested herself & Jen but much of the team guns for Julia because they feel she doesn’t know the products enough to run a top-notch restaurant. Joanna announces to Chef Ramsay that she is the first nominee & that the team has chosen Julia as the second nominee but Jen steps in to nominate herself as well. Julia is immediately sent back to the group & Chef Ramsay ends up sending home Joanna.

Though Aaron is unavailable for interviews, I WILL be speaking to Joanna tomorrow so make sure you check back to get the whole story!

A new episode of Hell's Kitchen airs Monday at 9pm EST on FOX

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

A Reality Check With ... JD Roth (NBC's "Age Of Love")

JD Roth’s career began as an actor at the age of 10. Throughout his childhood and early teens, he reached millions of viewers in more than 250 national on-camera and voiceover commercials. At 19, Roth became the youngest game show host in television history on the hit syndicated show, Fun House. Roth founded 3 Ball Productions with partners John Foy and Todd Nelson in March of 2002. In his career, Roth has been directly involved and responsible for over 1,000 episodes of reality television. In the past few years alone, his successes include NBC’s For Love or Money & Discovery Kids’ Endurance. Tonight, his unveils his latest project, NBC’s Age of Love, which he executive produces. JD sits down with RealityCheckByGina to discuss his television career & dish on his hot new show.

RC: You are a television veteran. When did your career begin?
JD: This is almost my 30th year in showbiz. It’s all I know how to do. I have no fall back plan & I think that’s the way to be successful. I have no plan to do anything else.

RC: When did you start to make the transition from game show host to reality tv producer?
JD: It was luck really! The first show I pitched was bought. I had no idea it would turn into the monster that it is. I’ve produced shows like Biggest Loser and Beauty & The Geek. I’m grateful that it has turned out the way it has. All I wanted was to make shows I liked & would watch.

RC: Your latest project, Age of Love, premieres tonight on NBC. Tell us a little about how you came up with the concept.
JD: Coming up with the concept was interesting. You know if you have kids, you get one weekend night out with the other couples. The men would sit on one side of the table talking & the women would sit on the other. I usually sat with the women, which my wife could never figure out. But women read the magazines & cry on the phone with their friends about Grey’s Anatomy. They’re part of pop culture. They were talking about how famous older women were dating younger men & I said that they couldn’t get a younger guy. They attacked me! I thought, “Ok I have something here, I don’t know what it is but I have something.”

RC: How much was your bachelor, tennis star Mark Philippousis, told going into filming of Age Of Love?
JD: Nothing. He was told he was going to meet young, beautiful women. That was a half-lie, some of them weren’t young. You could see the panic on his face when he started to meet the older women. I told the crew, “Nobody stops taping.” I didn’t want to stop & give him time to panic.

RC: Were the women also in the dark?
JD: The women were told that this was a show about empowerment & strength & also, to show how amazing they are.

RC: Was anyone upset after finding out the whole story? Do you try to pick people who are more like to go with the flow?

JD: We try to make good tv with great characters. I couldn't predict how people are going to react.

RC: All My Children’s (and Mr. Ripa) Mark Consuelos will be our host for Age Of Love. What does he bring to the table as a host?
JD: Mark’s a great guy, great charisma, positive energy … I can’t believe nobody snatched him up yet to host. People feel very relaxed & at ease around him.

RC: Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind?
JD: Endurance is in its 6th year and been nominated the last 4 for Best Kids Show. I love the show & this is my 20th straight year hosting. On the other hand, when producing, you dno’t have to worry about how you look or what you’re going to say. You get lost in the story. If I could do both forever, I would.

RC: What can we look forward to on tonight’s premiere episode of Age of Love?
JD: I think the best part of the show is the comedy. Yes, it’s a love story but in this genre, there’s usually not a lot of comedy. We have 2 different age groups pitted against each other. Tonight you’ll see Mark meet the 40 year olds & the panic he goes through. He’ll start to date them & just as he begins to have an open mind, we bring in the 20 year olds.

RC: Have you learned any lessons from working on this show?

JD: Yes, definitely. These 20 year olds can’t imagine what Mark would want with a bunch of 40 year olds and the 40 year olds can’t imagine what he’d want with a group of 20 year olds! I guess if I wasn’t doing this, I’d be a therapist or study social behavior because I just find this so interesting.

Age of Love debuts tonight on NBC at 9pm EST

Get your Age of Love links at sirlinksalot.net!

A Reality Check With ... Ashlee Langas & Ricky Palomino (FOX'S "So You Think You Can Dance")

Last night's first live elimination of season 3's "So You Think You Can Dance" ended the journey for contemporary dancers Ashlee Langas & Ricky Palomino. Named two of Mia Michael's favorite dancers, their time on the show was cut short after their performance of the Argentine Tango. The dancers sit down with RealityCheckByGina to talk about their time on the show & what the future holds for them.

RC: Can you each tell me a little bit about your dance background?

Ashlee: I started dancing the typical situation – when I was 2, my mom put me in tap & ballet. I started getting more serious competing as I got older.

Ricky: I was trained very unconventially. I had 3 simultaneous mentors starting when I was 16.

RC: Ashlee, does it frustrate you when someone advances without as much training?
Ashlee: I don’t think I’m frustrated because I’m so blessed to even be classified with that group of people. I think I had a lot more to learn just from the show & all the choreographers.

RC: Ricky, you started late in life. What peaked your interest about dance when

you were a teenager?
Ricky: It was just an innate thing. I was almost a mover & once I got with my first mentor, it came so naturally. I just went right through it. When I took my first class in high school, I didn’t know what a plie or tondue was. But once I was talked through it, it was like I already knew. I was lucky to have the unconvential path.

RC: Was this your first year trying out for So You Think You Can Dance? What was the experience like?
Ashlee: Yes, it was. It just seemed to work & I was never thinking, “I don’t feel good about myself.” There were definitely moments I had to lift myself back up but the judges liked me all the way through.

Ricky: Yes, it was. I had lots of success on the way through & enjoyed every minute of it. The most frustrating part was the waiting.

RC: What is the rehearsal process like for the first episode?
Ashlee: We had a few practices with the choreographer learning & perfecting the dance. It was pretty strenuous! They expect a lot out of you which is good because otherwise, there would be no challenge & no growth.

Ricky: The rehearsal process isn’t that long. To learn one piece, you get three hours one day, two hours the next, and one hour the last day which is the day you perform.

RC: Mia Michaels gave you both very high praises during the audition process – she must be devastated you’re gone. Did you talk to her last night?
Ashlee: I did! I was thinking, “I’m not going to cry or anything” But when I saw her, that’s when I broke down. It was very upsetting that I wouldn't have the opportunity to work with her.

Ricky: I did, I did. She was devastated and I was too because I didn’t get the opportunity to actually work a piece with her. I think together we would’ve created some crazy, amazing movement. I said goodbye to everyone, the producers, and she was the very last person. When I talked to her, I lost it. I shed a couple of tears, I’ll admit it.

RC: Nigel felt it was perhaps bad luck that you drew the Argentine Tango first. Were you worried when you were given that dance?

Ashlee: I really wasn’t worried and I fell in love with it immediately. It’s totally different than anything else I’ve done. I was nervous learning it but we felt really good right before we performed it.

Ricky: We felt so good about it, I thought they’d take into consideration the height difference since they paired us up together. We felt we pulled it off, we were in line, but it wasn’t enough.

RC: Do you feel that people like Faina, Danny, and Lacey have an advantage since they have family ties to previous contestants?

Ashlee: I don’t really think they have an advantage. I think maybe it gives them a little more of an interesting story but it’s not an advantage with the judges.

Ricky: Absolutely! It’s just an inheritance of fans & viewers.

RC: I saw many season 2 contestants in the crowd this week. Did you get a chance to talk to them?
Ashlee: Yeah, a little bit. I knew Jason from last season (we took lessons at the same studio) and he started right after I left so we had never formally been introduced. It was great to finally meet him & be in the same shoes as him. Last night, I met Benji & he was really nice!

Ricky: Yeah, we conversed & got to meet. They were nice & humble kids.

RC: What dancers in the competition really impress you?

Ashlee: Oh my gosh, there’s just so many of them. They did an amazing job casting the show. Everybody is just phenomenal.

Ricky: All of them! They’re all so crazy! The top 20 should be the touring company, that would be an amazing show.

RC: Will we see you on any of the future episodes?
Ashlee: We’ll be able to come back to any of the shows we want to so I’m planning on coming back to watch!
Ricky: Oh absolutely! I’ll be there for some tapings & to watch as well.

RC: What are your plans now that you’re out of the competition?

Ashlee: Only the Top 10 tour so unfortunately I will not be able to be a part of that but I am planning on staying here in L.A. & getting an agent, continuing to dance, and maybe even modeling.

Ricky: I’m super busy! I’m getting signed with a dance agency, I have nationals in Vegas in a month, and I’m releasing my 2nd recording album on ITunes in September.

An all new episode of So You Think You Can Dance airs Wednesday night on FOX with the live results show airing on Thursday.

Get your dancing links on sirlinksalot.net.

A Reality Check With ... Alexis Shubin (CBS's "Pirate Master")

Alexis Shubin was born in Fountain Valley, CA, and raised primarily in Laguna Hills, in South Orange County. While in high school, she was on the swim team and played water polo for four years. She then received her bachelor's degree in Communications/English from the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she was also an All-American water polo player. Alexis previously worked as an assistant editor for Lemonade magazine, Lucky magazine and Harper's Bazaar magazine. Her no-holds-barred attitude got her cut adrift on last night's Pirate Master & she sits down with RealityCheckByGina to tell it like it is.

RC: What drew you to the show Pirate Master?
Alexis: Casting kind of found me, I didn’t try out for the show. It was almost too perfect. I’ve always kind of been a little bit of the bad guy, I had a reputation. For me, I had a fascination with pirates & it seemed too perfect to turn down! I’m 26 & to go live in the Caribbean for 2 months ... it was great.

RC: Was the show physically more challenging that you anticipated?
Alexis: Yeah, I think it was, for sure. We didn’t really know what to expect. They gave us a heads up that it would be physical but I think that all any of us had to refer to was Survivor where their challenges were a lot more stationary.

RC: It seemed there would be a shift when Azmyth replaced Joe Don as captain. Did you feel a positive change once Azmyth took over?

Alexis: Yeah, I think everybody exhaled a little bit. Nobody liked Joe Don at that point - he was completely non-verbal with us. He would just stand up there & watch us & not do anything. There was a huge division. I think everybody gave a sigh of relief that the reign of terror was over.

RC: Why do people act so strange when they become captain? Are they told to do that or do they just act bizarre all on their own?

Alexis: Joe Don was just playing the part because he’s actually way cooler than that. Azmyth is such a drama queen & performer … the accent & the whole thing … he just wanted to be the good guy pirate.

RC: Did you think that you would receive a black spot on last night’s episode?
Alexis: I was expecting it completely. People would be like, “Let’s clean the heads” & I’d be like, “I want a suntan!” The last few days on the ship were hard & I got super cranky. You really can’t get away from anyone & have a minute. My attitude certainly changed the last few days.

RC: I like that at pirates court last night you said that you just are who you are: take it or leave it. Did you find people to be fake on the ship?

Alexis: Yeah, I think a lot of the people going into it had a bigger plan & a bigger agenda. There were musicians & actors & actresses. I think in the beginning, people were being extremely politically correct. I wasn’t trying to protect myself on the ship. I was just like, “This is me & this is what I think about you & that’s how it is.” The crew had a lot more respect for me & appreciated that. I thought I’d end up being the bitch but Cheryl ended up really being the bitch. I was just abrasive & didn’t hold back.

RC: Do you read what people on the websites & blogs say about you?

Alexis: You know, I have run across a few things. It’s funny … going into the show, my friends said, “Are you going to care what people say about you?” I’m used to people reacting to me. There’s been some blogs from people I went to college with like 7 years ago of people saying things & I’m like, “Woah, I’m sorry, who are you?” That upset me, I felt like Paris Hilton all of a sudden. I wasn’t expecting personal attacks from people I supposedly knew back in the day. I was upset for a minute & then I was like, “Do I really care?”

RC: Did you make friends while you were on the show?

Alexis: There’s people you click with & people that you don’t. At the end of the day, I was fairly close with everyone. I’m friends with Joy & Sean. It’s weird getting to know them in that environment & then, off camera. It’s a different interaction & more authentic.

RC: What was the toughest part of being on the ship?
Alexis: I think just the circumstances, it got really smothering. You couldn’t run away, have a moment, or feel like you weren't on camera. But it is what it is & it took some getting used to.

RC: When you’re cut adrift, does someone row out there & come get you afterwards?
Alexis: That’s the magic of tv! There’s all kinds of stuff that would blow your mind.

RC: What are you up to now?
Alexis: I’m back in Laguna. It took me a while to get adjusted. I wasn’t prepared for how hard of an adjustment it would be. I’m getting back to life, work, friends & family.

Pirate Master airs Thursday nights on CBS at 8pm EST

Get your Pirate Master links, matey, at sirlinksalot.net

Pirate Master: An End To The Reign Of Terror (6/14/07)

When we last left the pirates, Christian was cut adrift and now, his pal Louie is out for revenge. Will he be able to pull off a mutiny on Joe Don? If Louie has his way, JD will be following in Christian’s footsteps. The ladies, however, don’t seem too concerned with strategizing. Jupiter spends the morning putting makeup on all the pirates. After the fun (and the work), the pirates set sail for their next expedition.

For their next competition, the pirates will once again split into crews. The black crew is comprised of: Joe Don, Cheryl, Ben, Sean, Joy, Alexis, & Laurel. Opposing them, on the red crew, will be Kendra, Jupiter, Christa, Nessa, Azmyth, Louie, and Jay. The pirates must paddle to shore where they follow a trail and have the opportunity to sabotage the other crew. The red crew, led by Azmyth, arrived at the top of the trail first and, of course, took the opportunity to sabotage.

The red team’s attempt didn’t hold the black crew off for long & they are neck and neck as they approach a river which will lead them to the treasure. Both teams search the water for the skull that will give them the key to the treasure. Lo & behold, Louie pops out of the water with the key & the red crew enjoys their first victory. This spells trouble for the black crew, especially Joe Don. A new captain must now be chosen & Louie couldn’t be happier. Cheryl, Ben, & Joe Don must clean out their rooms and bunk with the rest of the pirates.
Azmyth is unanimously voted the new captain of the ship and he chooses Jupiter & Jay as his officers. He surprisingly took his share of the win instead of splitting it among the pirates. However, he suggests giving more money to the pirates & begins speaking in a fake English accent. Jay seems ready to commit Azymyth to the loony bin! The captain & his two officers also must decide which pirates they’ll mark with a black spot for elimination. Alexis, Cheryl, and Laurel all find black spots on their notes – what? No Joe Don?! Silly pirates…

At pirates court, host Cameron Daddo calls out Azmyth on his fake accent & I couldn’t be happier. Somebody had to call him out to his face. Alexis has been marked because of her bad attitude, Laurel is marked for flying under the radar, and Cheryl receives a black spot for not attempting to fit in with the rest of the crew. Laurel is safe but a tie ensues between Alexis & Cheryl. This means, as captain, Azmyth must decide who will leave & he cuts Alexis adrift for her weak physical performance throughout this game.

More drama ensues on the high seas as a new episode of Pirate Master airs next Thursday at 8pm EST on CBS.

Get your Pirate Master links, matey, at sirlinksalot.net!

Top Chef: No Love For The South (6/13/07)

Top Chef returned last night with its 3rd installment, a new city, and 15 new chefs. Everyone has their eye on the prize: a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, a trip to the French Alps, and of course, $100,000 to help make their dream of opening their own restaurant a reality. This season promises to be bigger & better with the best chefs we’ve seen yet!

The chefs arrive at Casa Casuarina, Miami Beach’s historic mansion, for a meet-and-greet buffet complete with champagne. Padma & Tom stop by to greet the chefs but it’s not just pleasure, it’s business too. Their first quickfire challenge starts right here, right now. The chefs must use what is remaining on the table to create an amuse bouche, which is a dish that comes first & sets the tone for the entire meal. The only utensils they were allowed to use were the plastic ones set out for the buffet. Tom gets right to business judging & deems the least favorites: Dale, Clay, & Tre. On the other hand, the 3 favorites were: Micah, Sara, & Hung. Micah’s “Tuscan Sushi Revisited” dish earns her the win & she has immunity from elimination.

The chefs arrive at the elimination challenge to find a table full of unusual proteins laid out before them. They must use these ingredients to create a surf & turf entrée & show that they can stand out in a crowd. The chefs draw knives to determine the order in which they will choose their protein. They are allotted 30 minutes & $30 to buy the rest of their ingredients as well as 2 hours to prep & cook their entree. Anthony Bourdain will serve as the special guest judge on this elimination challenge.

The contestants are split into 2 groups of 8. The first group will prep, cook, and present to the judges followed by the second group. In the first group, Howie commits a huge error by not getting his frogs legs on the plate in time – he serves an incomplete dish. Dale makes his own mistake in the second group, choosing ingredients he’s never even tasted! At the judges’ table, Hung & Tre are called in as the strongest chefs in this challenge. The winner of the first elimination challenge is Tre, thanks to his superb dish: ostrich fillet with tomato risotto & abalone sauce.

The judges then call in Howie, Brian, Clay, and Dale as the weaker performers. The judges felt that southern chef Clay overcooked his wild boar & made stuffing that they found inedible. However, their main problem was his constant excuses for his sub-par dish & in the end, he was asked to pack up his knives & go.

A new episode of Top Chef will air on Bravo Wednesday night at 10pm EST

Get your Top Chef links served up on sirlinksalot.net

So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 20 (6/13/07)

The time has come, the auditions are over, and now it’s time for the top 20 dances to hit the stage & compete for your votes. Tonight is the night that So You Think You Can Dance kicks into high gear & I couldn’t be more excited. The 20 dancers will be judged by Nigel, Mary, and hip hop/pop choreographer, Dan Karaty. All dancers have been paired up to perform a particular style of dance. Tomorrow night, the dancers with the lower number of votes will have to dance for the life & the judges will decide who’s going home. Let’s break down tonight’s dancers:

Jaimie/Hok – Hip Hop choreographed by Shane Sparks: Hok outshines contemporary dancer Jaimie in this piece but she gives it her all. After all, this is what Hok does best! Dan felt the dancers put out a good effort, Mary wanted it to be a little tighter, and Nigel felt Hok was brilliant & also felt Jaimie did keep up with Hok. To vote for Jaimie & Hok, call 1-888-TEMPO-01.

Anya/Danny – Jive choreographed by Tony Meredith: The song that is chosen for them (“Girlfriend” by Avril Lavigne) does not go with the jive but they make it work as they are both superb dancers. Dan said it looked effortless, Mary was practically speechless (but unfortunately, not completely), and Nigel felt it was tremendous. To vote for Anya & Danny, call 1-888-TEMPO-02.

Lacey & Kameron – Contemporary choreographed by Mia Michaels: While this is Kameron’s forte, Lacey ventures into a new genre of dance with this piece. It is passionately danced by the duo & they pull it off with flying colors. Dan felt Lacey understood all of Mia’s vision but that Kameron was a prop for Lacey, Mary felt the hair stand up on her arm, and Nigel agrees with Dan in that Lacey was the star of the routine. To vote for Lacey & Kameron, call 1-888-TEMPO-03.

Sabra/Dominic – Disco choreographed by Doriana Sanchez: I don’t necessarily feel that disco shows off what a dancer can do nor do I feel that dancers have fared well after performing disco on the show in previous seasons. Dan didn’t think it was so great, Mary felt impressed that a b-boy danced disco so well & thought Sabra shined, and Nigel defends Domimic from Dan saying what a great job he did considering it was his first time with a partner. To vote for Sabra & Dominic, call 1-888-TEMPO-04.

Ashlee/Ricky – Argentine Tango choreographed by Alex Da Silva: I’m not sure if it’s the choreography or the dancers but the number doesn’t do it for me. There wasn’t much chemistry between the two. Dan agrees, saying the dance is supposed to be sexy & it wasn’t, Mary sides with Dan but compliments Ricky’s partnering skills, and Nigel wasn’t sure who was leading who. To vote for Ashlee & Ricky, call 1-888-TEMPO-05.

Sara/Jesus – Pop/Jazz choreographed by Wade Robson: Wade has choreographed quite a unique piece for the duo! Dan felt the piece is an automatic standout, Mary called it spectacular, and Nigel raved about their performance. To vote for Sara & Jesus, call 1-888-TEMPO-06.

Jessi/Pasha – Smooth Waltz choreographed by Tony Meredith: The piece is beautifully danced by the hip hop dancer & Latin ballroom dancer as they float across the dance floor. Dan calls them the prom king & queen, Mary felt it was classy & elegant, and Nigel enjoyed the dance. To vote for Jessi & Pasha, call 1-888-TEMPO-07.

Faina/Cedric – Hip Hop choreographed by Shane Sparks: Faina is quite out of her element as Cedric feels right at home. It doesn’t seem either pulled off Shane’s vision. Dan didn’t feel the two were vibing off each other but complimented Cedric, Mary thought Faina did well considering how out of her comfort zone the dance was, and Nigel agrees with Dan that the two didn’t gel together. To vote for Faina & Cedric, call 1-888-TEMPO-08.

Lauren/Neil – Salsa choreographed by Alex Da Silva: Though they run into a few tricky spots, the pair looks like they’re having a great time together. They bring forth an entertaining routine, pleasing the crowd. The dance doesn’t fare as well with the judges – Dan didn’t feel the chemistry and the news doesn’t get better with Mary. She felt Neil was more like a cheerleader and lacked fire and Nigel wanted Neil to get down & dirty. To vote for Lauren & Neil, call 1-888-TEMPO-09.

Shauna/Neil - Broadway choreographed by Tyce Diorio: Though the degree of difficulty is not too tough, the dancers give an energetic performance. However, it's not the most impressive piece of the night. Dan feels Jimmy outperformed Shauna, Mary thought it was a great performance, and Nigel was not impressed with the end product. To vote for Shauna & Neil, call 1-888-TEMPO-10.

Check out the live results of So You Think You Can Dance tomorrow at 9pm EST

Get all the dance links you can keep up with at sirlinksalot.net.

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

NBC's Last Comic Standing returns tonight with an all new season. Season 4 brings a lot of changes - a new host and the addition of 3 new scouts: Alonzo Bodden, Kathleen Madigan, and Ant. Ant takes the time to sit down with RealityCheckByGina to dish about the perks of fame & why he's most proud of this season of Last Comic Standing.

RC: How long have you been doing standup & what was your first gig?
Ant: I started in 1994. My first gig was being called up on stage drunk at the Improv because I was heckling. The comic said, “If you think you can do a better job, go ahead.” I did & I did!

RC: What stand up comedians have influenced you?
Ant: I love Whoopi Goldberg, I think she’s the whole reason why I really drove into it. Don Rickles, Kat Williams, Wanda Sykes, Ellen DeGeneres, Kathleen Madigan – they’re all big influences.

RC: Your life has changed since first appearing on “Last Comic Standing”. What are some of the highlights?
Ant: Being invited to Madonna’s parties because that’s pretty cool … oh, and the free clothes!

RC: Would you rather be a contestant or a scout on “Last Comic Standing”?
Ant: I’d like to stay as a scout because I really am having a great time sitting on the other side of the table. The pressure is off of me & I get to see what it was like. I was scared to death when I was a contestant!

RC: What changes have been made to the format this season?
Ant: Oh huge changes, Gina! We’re practically a brand new show. Anthony Clark is out, thank god! He was terrible. Bill Bellamy is in – he’s a genuinely funny person & he really gets it. We also broadened our search worldwide this year. I'm really proud of this season.

RC: Which brings me to my next question – what cities did you visit to find the best comics?
Ant: We went to Sydney, London, Montreal, and, of course, major stops here in the United States. Funny is funny so no matter where you’re from, it translates. Some of the comics who weren’t seasoned didn’t get that you can’t use regional humor. You need to use more broad based humor. The really seasoned comics came prepared.

RC: Did you have to sit through a lot of bad comedians who don’t know they’re not funny?
Ant: Hundreds of thousands it seemed like! That’s my favorite part of the show is the train wrecks. We’ll let them go on & on because it’s hilarious. That’s what makes the show really work – you’re laughing at the train wrecks & you’re laughing at the funny comics too.

RC: Do you get to get out on the road often?
Ant: I try and tour as much as I can! I’m in Florida next week but I’m really picky about what I’ll do now because my free time is so limited. I maybe get one day a month to myself.

RC: You have a CD & a DVD out, tell me about them.
Ant: My DVD I’m really thrilled about it’s called “Ant: America’s Ready” you can buy it at Amazon, Target, or wherever. You’ll learn a lot about me that you won’t get to see on national television. You’ll see it raw which is the way comedy should be, not run through a filter.

RC: You always seem to be busy with new projects – anything in the future we should look out for?
Ant: Yeah, actually, I just shot a pilot regarding celebrities & magic. It just got picked up! You can look for it probably in early 2008.

RC: Any final words?
Ant: Yeah, everyone should go to my MySpace page. People can comment me & let me know what they think of the new season!

An all new season of Last Comic Standing kicks off tonight at 9pm EST on NBC!

Get your Last Comic Standing links at sirlinksalot.net.