Saturday, March 22, 2008

“Deal…Or NO Deal”

Kim Reis

Now - you might not think “Deal or No Deal” is a reality show.  It’s really a game show.  BUT - I consider it a reality show because real people have the opportunity to become millionaires and that’s so exciting to me.  As a matter of fact, when I married my husband 12.5 years ago, the only thing I asked was for him to win Powerball.  YUP!  Still waiting.  I mean, how selfish can he be???  I asked ONE small thing when we got married and he can’t even deliver.  He’s probably waiting for LUCKY year 13.  Yeah, yeah - that’s the ticket.  Patience.

Anyway (why do I always go off on tangents in these blogs??) - NBC10 is sponsoring a casting call for “Deal or No Deal” on Saturday, April 5th from10am-1pm at Twin River.  It’s so exciting!!  In other markets, the DOND casting director said that thousands line up to win a chance to be on the show.  I love these kinds of things!  I tried out for The Apprentice once.  Didn’t make it (obviously). - yes, another tangent.

Although they will shut down the line at exactly 1pm, every person will be guaranteed to be seen in groups of 10 (as long as they arrive before 1pm).  Contestants will have 20 seconds to impress the judges on why they should represent the Southern New England market on the show and win a chance to become a MILLIONAIRE on “Deal or No Deal”!

Here’s the most exciting part!  One lucky person will win a DOND briefcase that contains a golden ticket.  Could it be you???  This golden ticket allows them to meet the casting director FIRST.  No need to wait in line all night in the freezing temperatures.  Not only do they get to meet the casting director FIRST, but they also get to meet him ALONE.  One-on-one.  Not in a group of 10.  Want the chance to win this golden ticket?  CLICK HERE. 

Not only do we have ONE golden ticket, but we also have FIFTEEN VIP tickets.  What is a VIP ticket?  Well, this ticket also allows you to cut the line.  But, this is very different to the golden ticket.  You still meet the casting director in a group of 10.  It’s not a one-on-one event.

And, even if you don’t win a golden ticket OR a VIP ticket - you still can go to Twin River and wait in line.  EVERY PERSON in line is guaranteed to meet the casting director (as long as you arrive BEFORE 1pm).  GOOD LUCK!  I’m anxious to see how RI and SE MA impress the director!  We’re a great area of the country with some great, interesting people.

Now, if you’re a typical “Rhode Islander” - you might be too nervous to drive ALL THE WAY to Twin River.  It’s ALL THE WAY in Lincoln.  Just pack a lunch, make sure you have your cell phone and make arrangements for overnight accommodations (if you feel compelled).  It’s really not that far away and well worth it.  You could actually make a nice day of it.  Win the chance to be on “Deal or No Deal”, have lunch or dinner, see a great show at “Catch a Rising Star” and maybe even play some slots.  Hope to see you there! “Take me to the river….“ {insert music notes here}

As a matter of fact, someone from Barrington has already been picked by DOND and she’s going to Los Angeles where she might be picked to go up on stage.  She didn’t get this opportunity through NBC10.  She actually won the opportunity by purchasing a DOND scratch ticket.  Way cool!  You can read the story by CLICKING HERE.

Come on Southern New England!!!  Let’s represent at the “Deal or No Deal” casting call and SHOW THEM WHAT WE’RE MADE OF!!!

Celebrity Apprentice - The Final Showdown Begins

Kim Reis

I’m so glad that Trace and Piers are in the final showdown together.  I like Trace A LOT and I think Piers deserves to be there.  It was definitely unfair the way they picked the final two, though.  I mean, if I were Carol or Lennox, I’d be rather upset that I didn’t have the chance to prove myself in a final challenge.  Oh well.  I guess that’s how it goes in the real business world.  Sometimes, things just aren’t fair.

I am a big fan of country music, but didn’t know Trace very well.  I knew his work, but never really heard him speak or saw him in concert.  What an interesting guy.  I recently took the Myers Briggs Personality/Style seminar and found out that I’m an ESTJ.  Basically, the ESTJ tells me that I’m an extrovert who likes order, I think way more than I feel and I like to get things done immediately (check it off my list as you might say).  For those of you who have never heard of the Myers Briggs test, you can take one here for free: 

ESTJ - “Administrator”. Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Take Free Myers-Briggs Personality Test

Anyway - as you might be thinking “WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH CELEBRITY APPRENTICE???!“  Well, if I were to guess, I would think Trace is the complete opposite of me.  He’s more of an introvert and I envy that personality style.  He’s a smart guy, but he doesn’t feel like he always has to talk.  He thinks before he speaks and, when he does make a sound, it makes a whole lot of sense.  I really envy that!

Trace vs. Piers should be an interesting showdown next week.  They have to put together a fundraiser with the Backstreet Boys as the headliners.  They will be judged on three criteria: Number of tickets sold, money raised at the celebrity auction and how well they ran their piece of the event. Trace feels that he can win two out of three goals for the challenge (sell the most tickets and best run piece).  Trace is focusing on the event and his celebrity roladex to bring in more celebrities to sell more tickets.  I can’t wait to see what country stars show up.  That should be HUGE!  One of the things he had to do to make sure his part of the event went smooth was make sure the Backstreet Boys’ backstage dressing rooms are to their liking (they are SUCH pre-Madonnas!!!) 

I think Trace is going to win it all - but I think Piers did a great job and really proven himself as a shrewd businessman.  Trace is working to raise money for the The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.  His daughter suffers from severe food allergies and I hope he gets to raise the $250k for the cause.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

I’m a Big Loser!

Kim Reis

I just got a chance to watch Biggest Loser from March 4th!  I know, I know.  It’s already March 15th and I’m only blogging now.  But, I just haven’t had time, which makes ME a big loser.  So - as I watch it - I get more and more aggravated with my own station (NBC10) for breaking into the show at the high points of the show (like weigh-in results) to give me primary updates.  Couldn’t they just put it in a squeeze back and scroll along the bottom??  Don’t get me wrong, their coverage was great.  But, if I have a choice to watch Biggest Loser or news coverage - Biggest Loser takes the cake!

OK - I’ll get off my soap box now and get into the meat of the show. 

First, why does Biggest Loser do food challenges?  If you’ve ever watched Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1, he’d never do a drug challenge.  Food is an addiction for most overweight people.  My goodness!  That upsets me.  Especially since I am someone who lost 125 lbs and struggle everyday to keep it off.  I think the food challenges are horrible.

Danny ate 1100 calories to win $9500.  Was it worth it???!!  OK, it was worth it.  What’s a few more minutes on the treadmill.  HAHA HA HAHA!  But, even though he won $9500, it still makes me mad.

The challenge prize was weird this time.  They had to pull themselves across a canyon on a zip cord and collect flags.  It was a difficult challenge and took a lot of upper body strength.  But, the prize was odd.  The winner won a ride in a fighter jet.  If I were a contestant, that would not motivate me one bit.  No desire to ride in a fighter jet.  I would probably puke.

In the end, Bernie used his immunity coupon to save his friend Brittany.  In the end, that caused him to fall below the yellow line with Kelly.  He was perceived as more of a threat, so he went home.  When Bernie first came to the Ranch, I didn’t like him at all.  But he has grown on me.  I felt bad that he went home. 

The contestants are now singles (no more teams).  So, they really need to focus.  My guess is that Danny will be the last contestant standing, but Mark will be the Biggest Loser overall.  I just don’t see a woman taking it…AGAIN!  What is your guess?

Real Life

Kim Reis

I’m so upset!  I’ve been so busy with work and all of the chores that life brings that I haven’t had a chance to watch “my shows”.  Although I have them in my TiVO, I haven’t been able to watch them.  And, it makes it tough to watch any news, read magazines or listen to the radio for fear that I’ll hear what happened before I get the chance to watch it.  Like, for example - I heard that some Biggest Loser “cast-offs” were invited back onto the show.  WHAT???!!  WHO???!!  WHEN???!!  UGH!  I have to hurry up and watch it before someone blows the whistle and ruins it for me.  So, today is a rainy Saturday and I’m gonna take the day to catch up on Biggest Loser, Idol and Celebrity Apprentice.  I’ll blog later.  Although old news - I’ll give my thoughts and opinions (in case you care). 

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Gone Country - Finale

Kim Reis

What a dramatic ending to Gone Country.  For those of you who don’t know - it’s a show on CMT where John Rich (from Big & Rich) is trying to find a new country star.  The catch is that the contestants are already stars.  They are:

Maureen McCormick (AKA Marsha Brady)
Bobby Brown (R&B artist from the 80s/90s)
Diana DeGarmo (former American Idol contestant)
Julio Eglesias Jr. (Julio Eglesias’ son)
Sisqo (R&B singer - big claim to fame is The Thong Song)
Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
Carnie Wilson (Brian Wilson’s daughter - Beach Boys, and singer from Wilson Phillips)

Maureen McCormick was always known as the “perfect child” while playing Marsha on the Brady Bunch, and she was the most fragile throughout the show.  Bobby Brown is a mess and drinks too much.  He also walks in his sleep and pees where ever he feels like it.  Rather disgusting.  They all had quirks, but those were the two rarest.

These people lived in a house together and prepared to perform in front of John Rich to win a recording contract in country music.  They wrote a country song and spent time on a ranch where they had to become COUNTRY.

What amazed me about this show was how the contestants reacted when it was time to perform.  They are already “stars” in their own right, but they were so nervous about getting on stage to perform.  Over the past several weeks, I’ve watched the show and I actually got nervous for them as they got on stage.  WHY?  They are professionals.  Being someone who has “dabbled” in standup comedy, singing and acting, I felt the same nervousness that they showed on TV.  But I thought stars don’t get nervous.  Obviously - I was wrong.

Amazingly, in the final showdown, they all did a GREAT job.  They all wrote country songs from the heart.  I’m a fan of country music and listen to Cat Country 98.1 and Sirius Channel 60 all the time.  They really did a great job.  I would have picked Diana DeGarmo to win it all.  I can totally see her becoming a country star.  But - John Rich picked JULIO EGLASIAS JR as the winner of the house.  WHAT???!!!  I mean, don’t get me wrong, he sounded great.  A real Latin Lover.  But country star???!!!  I just can’t see it happening.  Time will tell.  John Rich is going to produce an album for him.  I’ll be very surprised if I hear it played on my stations.  Bobby Brown also left the show saying that this won’t be the last time country fans will see him.  Hmmm?  Only time will tell.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Idol After Eliminations (March 7, 2008)

Kim Reis

Well - I was right in my last blog.  Bye bye Luke & Kady.  I didn’t realize they were voting off two last night or I would have made another pick in each gender.  BUT - I must say - if I had picked two more “eject-ees”, I would have lost.  I would have picked Kristy Lee Cook and David Hernandez to go home this past week.  NOT Asia’h or Danny!  Although Asia’h and Danny were not the strongest, I still feel they deserved to be in the top 12.

SO - my picks for next week’s show will be - Kristy Lee Cook and David Hernandez

I still think Brooke will win it all - with David Archuleta, Carly Smithson and Ramiele Maluby going pretty far.

Who are your picks???

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Idol (March 5, 2008)

Kim Reis

I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve blogged.  My TiVo is so backed up that I think it may explode.  Busy, busy, busy week. 

OK - enough about excuses.  Let me comment about this week’s Idol.

For the guys - I liked most of them.  Not sure why all the hype about David Archuleta.  Cute kid, nice voice, not sure he’s strong enough to win it all.  But he’ll definitely go far.  This week, I think Luke Menard is heading home.  There are other voices that are stronger than he is.  We’ll see if I’m right tonight.

As for the girls.  Interesting night, dawg!  I thought they all really sounded strong.  I think the girls had a much better night than the guys.  Buh bye Kady Malloy.  Just not strong enough compared to the others.  Although I like Amanda a lot (blonde streak in the front her hair for those of you who don’t know their names), I don’t think America will think she’s mainstream enough to push her through all the way.  But I think she’s unique and she’ll go far.  Next week, I hope she just sings.  I’d like to hear her vocals without the screaming.  I never felt that Syesha Mercado ever “found the note”.  She was all over the place and flat—a lot.  I LOVED Brooke’s performance last night and I really liked Carly’s performance.  Although, Carly’s tattoos have gotta go.

There’s no total standouts yet - but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I think the next American Idol will be Brooke White.  Who is your pick???

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Biggest Loser Goes to VEGAS BABY!!

Kim Reis

The blue team won a trip to Las Vegas because of their big win last week.  The black team (Jillian’s team) was very jealous.  My favorite player has been Dan since the beginning, but I think he’s becoming a bit cocky in this episode, which makes me sad.  The blue team seemed like they were really gellin’.  Gellin’ like a felon.  (Sorry, couldn’t resist)  But, as the episode played out, the team started to fall apart a little bit.  There’s more about that as my blog plays out.

When they arrived at the hotel room in Vegas, their shower had a pole in it.  What the heck was that for???!!!

Sorry - I went off track for a moment.  I just couldn’t help wondering what a pole in the shower is truly for.

Very funny - the black team sent room service to the room as a “gift”.  Full of fried foods, desserts and beer.  The blue team was smart and pushed the cart back in the hallway.  NICE THINKIN’!

The blue team went out on the town for the night.  They looked SHAHP!  That’s right - as RIers say - they look SHAAAAAP (no “R”).  They were wearing black suits that fit them perfectly.  They looked great.  They really partied, but I was happy to see that they stayed away from food products.  They went on the Slingshot, which is an amusement park ride on the top of a building.  The funny thing was when Roger sat in the seat of the ride.  Last time he was there, he couldn’t fit because of his larger size.  I know how that feels.  How humiliating!  When we went to Universal Studios a few years ago, I couldn’t fit in the Hulk rollercoaster because I was too large.  We waited in line for 90 minutes, only to get to the front of the line and realize that my big butt wouldn’t fit in the seat.  Not only was I embarrassed, but I felt horrible for my husband and children who waited all that time.  They refused to ride without me and that upset me even more.  UGH!  Fond memories—NOT! 

OK - enough about me.  Back to Biggest Loser…

The blue team stayed out late and Mark was the only one who woke up and worked out early.  When Roger woke up, he was pissed that Mark didn’t wake him up to work out.  Dan was pissed that they DID wake him up with all the arguing.  The team seemed a bit divided, but they got over it pretty quick.  They went to a tattoo shop and got “PRIDE” tattoos.  I wonder if they will still feel that PRIDE and unity when they start voting each other out, one-by-one?  And, Dan’s mother is gonna kick his butt when she sees that huge forearm tattoo!!  If that were my son, I’d be so sad.  I sculpted that little body for 9 months.  To have a huge, permanent tattoo in a moment of impulse - UGH!  Just my opinion.

Who was voted out this week??  Visit NBC.com.

Chachi Had a Baby!

Kim Reis

Scott Baio is 46…and Pregnant.  What a show!!  If you haven’t seen it, it airs on VH1 and it definitely makes me think of Chachi in a different light.  Yes - Chachi from Happy Days.  He’s a jerk!  He treats his girlfriend like crap.  He’s selfish and a whiney baby.  Nothing like his Chachi counterpart.

This “semi” reality show follows Scott Baio through his “real life”.  He’s very immature and you would not know that he’s a 46-year-old grown man.  Last season, Scott went through his struggles with growing up and how his girlfriend Renee tries to get him to be a man.  At the end of last season, he proposed to Renee and, while proposing, she told him she was pregnant.

Hence, now we get to this season.  Renee finally had her baby in the last episode.  Little Baby Bailey was born via C-Section and Scott actually seemed supportive.  But, I wonder how long it will last?  Throughout the episode he whined about how his life was over because he was going to have a baby.  He wanted to have one last party because he felt like he’d never party again.  How pathetic!  My best parties have been with my children.  Having a baby does not stop your life for goodness sake!  Scott Baio - GET A LIFE!!!  Sometimes I wonder if the reason for his reactions is because of his age.  He’s had too much time to be selfish and has no idea how to share his life with someone else - especially a demanding little baby.

I have some friends who had babies late in life and, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.  They over-analyze everything their kids eat, they won’t let them play with plastic toys, they freak out if their kids get a little scrape on their knee.  I’m so glad I had my children young in life.  Money was definitely tighter, but we lived for the moment and the kids were allowed to be kids.

I wonder if Scott will stay with his two girls (Renee and Bailey)?  Will he let them down?  Will his selfish and destuctive behavior ruin this special time?  Will he be able to handle Renee’s post partum (and I’m sure she’ll have some)?  More to follow…

Click Here to see excerpts from Scott Baio is 46…and Pregnant!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Biggest Loser (Feb 19, 2008)

Kim Reis

This week on The Biggest Loser, the final 9 contestants got to go home to their families for a week.  DANGER, DANGER!  I always love the part when their families look shocked at the contestants’ transformation.  Being someone who lost 125 lbs, it always make me teary to see them go home.  My favorite player is Dan.  He reminds me of a good friend and he’s really matured so much on The Ranch.

The blue team is Bob’s team (Dan, Jay, Mark, Roger) and the black team is Jillian’s team (Maggie, Bernie, Brittany, Paul & Kelly).

I would love to see Paul & Kelly (ex-husband and wife) get back together.  They are so cute.  When Paul goes home, we met his girlfriend (Julie) and she looks exactly like Kelly.  Paul still loves Kelly - poor Julie.  And, Paul totally over-ate when he went nuts on chicken wings at a restaurant.  EEK!  He could be next.  Jillian was so mad at him for ignoring her phone calls while he was off The Ranch.

Many of the contestants came home to huge parties, surrounded by friends and families.  I felt like the families were rude because they had all kinds of junk food.  It’s hard enough for these contestants to lose the weight.

Mark (original black team with his brother) is a jerk!  I’ve disliked him throughout this entire season.  He threw all the junk food in the GAH-bage at his family’s PAH-ty.  I don’t dislike him because of the junk food - I just think he’s very rude.  I hope he goes home soon.  And, he’s so mean to his brother, Jay.

Brittany has only lost 33 lbs.  I’m not sure what her problem is??  Most everyone else has lost more than 70lbs.  She’s probably going home next.

Almost everyone who went home made some kind of mistake.  A lot of drinking, parties, junk food and over eating.  It clearly showed that these contestants are not ready for the “real world” - outside The Ranch.

Casting for the next Biggest Loser has started.  Visit NBC.com to sign up and represent Southern New England!!! I’m trying to talk my husband into doing it with my mother.  Son-in-law and mother-in-law DUKE IT OUT on The Ranch.  HA HA HA HA!

Welcome to Reality Check!

Kim Reis

Welcome to Reality Check!  I can’t believe I’m officially a “blogger”!  I’m so excited!  Below, you’ll find a quick look at my TIVO Season Pass Manager - WHEW!  And, I’m sure you’ll ask: “With two kids, 1 husband, 1 cat, a house with tons of chores and a full time job, how do you have time to watch all of these programs?“  The answer - I don’t know!  I just get sucked in.  Thank goodness for TIVO because, without it, I’d never be able to stay caught up on all of them and, a 30 minute show really becomes more like 17 mins.  Sometimes I fall behind and end up with a 5 or 6 episode marathon on a rainy Saturday afternoon.  My kids always joke with me and ask me “what show are you watchin’ tonight?“  And, now my kids are sucked into some of them. 

I’ll probably blog every few days and I’ll give you my take on some of the shows.  Like - do I agree or disagree with Piers Morgan on Celebrity Apprentice?  What do I really think about Simon Cowell? Who do I think is the most sinister on Survivor?  Remember, this is just my opinion and you can feel free to send me your comments and give me your opinions.

The Apprentice
Biggest Loser
American Idol
Survivor
Big Brother
Extreme Home Makeover
Supernanny
Gone Country
Project Runway
The Bachelor
The Surreal Life
Hogan Knows Best
The Amazing Race
My Fair Brady…Maybe Baby
Scott Baio is 45…And Pregnant
Last Comic Standing
America’s Got Talent
Dancing with the Stars
Hell’s Kitchen
Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
Wife Swap
WHEW!!!

See you soon!!!  Tonight I’ve got American Idol, America’s Next Top Model and Big Brother.  BIG NIGHT!!!!