My Toronto Sun Column: Week 4

Spousal support?
On Survivor, it was husband vs. wife on Redemption Island as John faced his wife Candice as well as Marissa to stay alive in the game after Tadhana voted him of the island last week. Brad was to blame and the two were not scared to vocalize what they thought of him at the Redemption Island challenge. Luckily, in the puzzle challenge, both husband and wife made it through the task the quickest, sending Marissa home for good. The two spent time fishing and relaxing on the beach, where it looked more like honeymoon island, rather than a game of Survivor. In the immunity and reward challenge, Tadhana and Galang were head to head competing for tea and biscuits and the opportunity to remain safe in the game, but Galang pulled through in the end, winning immunity and remaining undefeated. At the tribal council meeting, Caleb, who had felt a target on his back, announced that he was voting for Brad, the team leader responsible for each player being sent off the island. The other players looked shocked, but in the end, they followed suit and Brad went to join the happy couple on Redemption Island in one of the most surprising tribal councils to date.
Gracious exit
Two-time Dancing with the Stars winner Julianne Hough took a seat on the judging panel as a guest and dished out tough critiques. Valerie Harper and Tristan MacManus waltzed out of the competition this week, as they were the third couple eliminated from the show. The 74-year-old actress, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, left graciously. Three couples earned high scores of 27, which included Corbin Bleu, Amber Riley and Elizabeth Berkley proving that the dancers are only getting better as the competition heats up.
Almost out of Runway
In the first part of Project Runway's Season 12 finale, Heidi and Tim announced the designers must complete at 10-look collection for Spring in only six weeks. The five remaining competitors were sent to their hometowns and given the time to complete each look. From LA to Philadelphia, Tim did his rounds to check on how each of them were doing and to add his two cents, of course. Back in NY, after completing their garments, the designers were surprised with the announcement that in addition to their collections, they must make an additional piece that can be washed, inspired by Tide detergent's new "Washable Fashions." This show is always thinking about pleasing their sponsors. In the end, Helen's collecting did not have the 'wow' factor necessary to make it to fashion week and he was eliminated. Next week the winner of season 12 is revealed.
Wow. Just wow.
If you met someone online and they told you they were the famous rapper Bow Wow, would you believe them? Likely not. But what if they sent you $10,000? Nineteen-year-old Keyonnah could only call Nev and Max of Catfish to help her figure out the mystery on this week's episode of Catfish. Although it seemed too good to be true, many signs showed the person on the other end of the line speaking to Keyonnah for the past few months may just be Bow Wow, especially the fact that they had send her $10,000. After driving to Atlanta and showing up at his door, the 'he' became a 'she' as a young woman by the name of Dee walked out, claiming her love for Keyonnah. In shock, Keyonnah was unable to forgive Dee for her lies and embarrassment and the two went their separate ways. When something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
SIDE:
Quote Of The Week: "It was an opportunity for me to carry a message to folks, not just with cancer, but with whatever challenge, like our song tonight -- carry on, carry on," Valerie said following her DWTS elimination.
Fearless Prediction: With such strong, innovated pieces the entire season, we are sure the new Project Runway winner will be Dom.
Biggest Surprise: NBC changed the premiere date of The Biggest Loser to a week later and it will now air Oct. 15.
What the heck moment: In one of the most surprising tribal councils to date, Tadhana turned on their leader and sent Brad to Redemption Island.

The Toronto Sun Column: Week 3

Gotta dance: It was Hollywood Night on DWTS, which came as nothing new to the contestants. The routines themselves, however, were another matter. Bill Nye, who suffered from a torn ligament last week, was eliminated in what was the worst jazz routine that the competition may have ever seen. And after a horrible week for Pretty Little Liars star Brant Daugherty, who suffered from an injury, lost cellphone and being robbed at gunpoint, he and partner Peta Murgatroyd, wowed the judges with their quickstep to Crazy In Love, earning them this week's highest score. Talk about a turnaround.
Finding a Voice: No one deserves to win more than the person that fails and doesn't give up and James Irwin got his karma this week. The 31-year old from St. Louis, who tried out last year and didn't make the cut, prompted all four judges on The Voice to push their button to choose the talented young man this time around. After praise from the others coaches and constructive criticism from Adam Levine, Irwin chose to join Levine's team. Smart move if we do say so. After the second last blind audition episode of the season, Cee Lo Green has three spots left on his team of 12, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton have two each, and Christina Aguilera has just one heading into next week, which wrap up the blind auditions.
Tribal counseling: No one likes a quitter, not even Survivor Blood vs. Water host Jeff Probst, who lost his cool on Galang's Colton Cumbie, after he quit the show last Friday night when he decided he didn't want to be there. And Probst, who is usually calm and collected, wasn't afraid to let the drama queen know how selfish he was being. Two reality TV no-nos - being a crybaby and a quitter, and Colton took the title of both.
Keeping up: After returning from their three-week TV hiatus, the Kardashians returned in time to showcase the lavish KimYe baby shower on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. While Kourtney and Khloe planned the details, which included all white decorations and a copy of Yeezus as a party favor, Kim was not set on the idea of having a shower due to all the negative attention she had been getting over her pregnancy. In an attempt to change her mind, Kris showed her a video of her own shower, which of course brought the tears with footage from the late Robert Kardashian. In the end, it worked and the reality queen caved on the idea. In the garden-themed shower, celebrities such as Kelly Osbourne and Kanye's family arrived, before Yeezus himself made his appearance.
Not so nice: The theory nice guys finish last proved true once again on Catfish as the MTV matchmakers Nev and Max travelled to Detroit to help a veteran named Derek. He'd been cheated on by both mothers of his children while he was serving in the military. Ouch! Derek was sure he had found love with Kristen who had added him on Facebook, but his happy ever after fell short when the three travelled to her home to find out that Kristen was really a mother of two named Chastity who had only created the Facebook account to spy on the father of her children. Talk about drama. Unfortunately for Derek, third time wasn't a charm and his search for love continues.
Extra from this week in reality:
Quote of the Week: "To say that all of this scrutiny doesn't get to you, I would be lying," admitted Kim. "But listening to my family, really does make me realize that I want to have this special moment for my daughter." - Kim Kardashian on her baby shower
Fearless Prediction: With drama queen Colton gone from Survivor Blood vs. Water, we have no doubt that the Galang tribe will run a lot smoother without him.
Biggest Surprise: After 31-year-old singer James Irwin was criticized by Adam Levine for his rendition of Losing My Religion, the singer chose Levine over the other coaches to join his team.
What the heck moment: Bill Nye would have been better off to drop out the competition than subject us to the sight of that horrible jazz number.

The Toronto Sun Column: Week 2

PITCH-PERFECT:
Original Voice coaches Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Adam Lavine kicked off the fifth season of the newly-minted Emmy winner. Besides Christina's immense weight loss and Cee Lo's new head tattoo, there was actual talent to talk about. But first the four coaches started things off with their rendition of the classic I Love Rock and Roll to remind everyone, in case they forgot, who the show's real stars are. The first round of blind auditions did not disappoint, as a former rockstar, background singer, sandwich-maker and pageant coach -- just to name a few -- rocked the stage. In the end, Adam welcomed three contestants to his team, Christina and Cee Lo each chose two, and three-time winner of the singing competition, Blake, chose one.
OH NYE:
Dancing With The Stars fans must have been grateful to Bill Nye for making middle school a lot more entertaining, as the Science Guy found himself safe this week, even with the worst score of season. Former football player, Keyshawn Johnson was the first to shuffle off the competition instead. But votes couldn't save Bill from injury, as the 57-year-old competitor was rushed to the hospital after hurting his knee during his paso doble dance. After posting a photo of himself and partner Tyne Stecklein with a wrapped knee and a tweet that confirmed the torn ligament, Bill Nye's fate in the competition is unknown, but he hasn't stepped down as of yet. This week's winners included High School Musical's Corbin Bleu and his partner Karina, who won over the judges with their Jive.
THICKER THAN ...:
The second episode of Blood vs. Water (which seems to be Survivor's most intricate season yet) began with a look at Redemption Island, as Candice, Rupert and Marissa -- the three castaways who left the island last week -- battled it out for a chance to stay in the game. In an intricate challenge involving balancing spools through a maze, the three gave it their all as the remaining castaways, including their loved ones, cheered on. After completing the challenge in third place, fan-favourite Rupert Boneham was sent home for good. But his wife still has a shot. In the Immunity Challenge, Jarvis took the win for Galang, and earned them fishing gear. Tadhana, on the other hand, headed to Tribal Council, where Rachel was voted out to join the inhabitants of Redemption Island.
SOMETHING FISHY:
MTV cupids Nev and Max were back at it this week, to help two love-struck teens meet for the first time on Catfish. Nick and Melissa, who live in completely different states met when they were 12-years-old on a Tila Tequila fan page, of all places. That just spells romance. For six years, they talked, got to know each other, and eventually fell in love. Nick decided it was time for the two to meet and contacted Nev and Max to help make it all possible. But many things stood in the way, including Melissa's live-in boyfriend, Olin. After the two hosts scooped up Nick and flew him to meet Melissa, he was not expecting to find out that, not only was she still in love with her boyfriend, but she had also manipulated her photo angles and lighting to make her look a lot less heavy. She blamed it on her low self-esteem, but for someone with low self-esteem, she does have two men who both love her. In the end, she had to choose between them and she decided to continue to live with her boyfriend, but remains close friends with Nick.
Quote Of The Week:
"This is a great game. I love Survivor, but I love my wife more." - Rupert Boheman, the first castaway off the show after taking his wife's spot on Redemption Island.
Fearless Prediction:
An injury added to his lack of skill is just putting salt on the wound for Bill Nye the Science Guy. Even if he doesn't step down from the competition, we can't see how far he'll make it. Crutches don't make the best dance partner.
Biggest Surprise:
It was quite the shock on The Voice when none of the four coaches turned around to choose 15-year-old Matthew Brea, who nailed the Jackson 5's I Want You Back, which he dedicated to his late brother.
What the heck moment:
Season 5's first episode wasn't the only premiere on The Voice this week as Cee Lo Green took the opportunity to debut his new head tattoo. We hope that it's just henna.