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Amazing Race
Sunday, 8 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
Ten teams left Ecuador for Chile, solving a word puzzle that led them to a copper mine, where they had to perform laborious tasks. Game-savvy Rob and Amber won their second leg, while pals Kevin and Drew, below, came in last - with Drew refusing to stay on the mat to hear Phil declare they were eliminated.
Best whine & cheese moment
Is "little person" Charla's cousin Mirna nuts? Bickering with the Barbies over a cabbie's fee (while other teams passed them) is one thing - but ticking off Mary, the kindhearted coal miner's wife, is going too far.
American Idol
Tuesdays, 7 p.m. ; Wednesdays, 8 p.m. KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
The guys finally step up in the second week and belt out better songs, but the girls still show it's their contest to win. This was dedication week, which meant singing to loved ones with tears flowing nonstop and lots of "thanks to grandma" nods. The real shocker is that porn wannabe Antonella Barba and Sanjaya Malakar - the two worst in the competition - get to stick around another week. Oh, America, how disappointing are thee!
Best whine & cheese moment
Simon was so harsh on Haley Scarnato after her performance, she started to cry. Um, it's a rough road to stardom, baby. Time to click your heels and be whisked away back home.
America's Next Top Model
Wednesdays, 7 p.m., KUCW Ch. 30, encore Sundays, 8 p.m.
What happened?
It's a new "cycle" for Tyra and her gang. In the two-hour premiere, 33 would-be models were whittled to 12, including two plus-size models - Diana and Whitney - a first for the show. Kathleen was the first to leave when she couldn't figure out the theme behind her photo shoot. This season seems to be about loving your body - a positive message. Good for Tyra!
Best whine & cheese moment
Jael, the most exotic-looking girl on the show, was afraid the other girls wouldn't like her as much after she won the first challenge. Because everyone loves a loser . . . ?
Survivor: Fiji
Thursdays, 7 p.m. KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
Gary, aka "Papa Smurf," just couldn't take the rigors of Fiji and had to be sent to base camp with a medical team. With him out of the game, the Moto tribe was down one. But the real punch to the gut for them was the choice to leave their plush camp or lose another member at tribal council. They chose the latter and began to implode from the politics of voting someone off.
Best whine & cheese moment
Rocky of Ravu, above, had a meltdown after losing their umpteenth challenge. He was throwing, screaming and ranting. One more minute and he would have shouted for "Adrian!!"
Contributors: Sean P. Means, Vince Horiuchi and Alicia Greenleigh