This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There's such a barrage of reality shows swallowing up our television time, it's hard to keep track of who's schmoozing whom and who's been doing the backstabbing. Here's the cooler talk about last week's episodes of some of your favorite reality fare, written by The Salt Lake Tribune's resident unscripted-TV buffs. (Warning: Spoilers ahead. If you didn't watch last week, read at your own risk.)
Amazing Race
Sundays, 8 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
Eric and Danielle, the twice-yielded dating couple, survived ocean perils in Hawaii to hit the mat first in San Francisco and take the $1 million. E&D scored on the final challenge: a high-tech "Newlywed Game"-like quiz that showed what the partners knew about each other.
Best whine & cheese moment
The usually united Barbies, Dustin and Kandice, fell apart on the kayaking challenge and bickered in the car afterward. The upside: For once, we knew which one was Dustin and which one was Kandice.
American Idol
Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 p.m., KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
On Bee Gees night, practically no one
was "Stayin' Alive" onstage. Nearly every singer butchered the songs from one of the biggest-selling albums of all time, "Saturday Night Fever." In the end, single mom LaKisha Jones just couldn't hang on and was booted. And someone needs to tell Blake Lewis to beat down his beatboxing a little.
Best whine & cheese moment
The Ford commercials with the contestants have gotten so cheesy now, they have the stench of Gouda sitting in the sun all summer. This week's edition, which had the flavor of a Monkees or Beatles montage, was an eye-roller.
... Top Model
Wednesdays, 7 p.m., KUCW Ch. 30; encore Sundays, 8 p.m.
What happened?
The contestants were given a lesson in Australian tribal dancing in the hopes that their stories would inspire the judges. Renee won the challenge and chose Jaslene to share in the winnings: pearl jewelry. Natasha came down with the flu, and the pictures were some of her worst. Ultimately, the judges thought Dionne's constant need for posing direction was enough to earn her the boot.
Best whine & cheese moment
Tyra asked the girls who had the most and least modeling potential, and everyone seemed to gang up on Natasha, claiming they don't know enough about her to make her seem genuine. Well, I wouldn't confide in women who were talking trash on me all the time either.
Survivor: Fiji
Thursdays, 7 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
Some of the season's best strategic maneuvering happened this week when Yau-Man played his hidden immunity idol just right at tribal council, forcing Stacy out. It's now down to five as we head into the finale tonight.
Best whine & cheese moment
No whining here. Yau-Man won a car and gave it to Dreamz, who had complained he never owned one. Dreamz got his car, and Yau got the promise that Dreamz would hand over to him the immunity idol if he ever won it.