Go-Go Mommy

Cowboys vs. Brits?!

You might have read about my dirty little secret here, but I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to reality tv. And with all of the shows on right now, I feel like there's no better time of year... well, except for Christmas, and Superbowl Sunday, and the holiday College Bowls!

Anyway, with the advent of the DVR, I have found my dream come true. I get to "reward" myself with mindless television after a hard day's work of caring for a Poppy (now 4, which she'll tell you over and over just in case you would like to sing "Happy Birthday" to her) and Sweet Pea (17 months). Since my day with them begins at 5:30am and ends when Poppy goes to bed anywhere from 8:30pm to 9:00pm, I think it's a very good use of my time as I put away dishes, fold clothes, knit, or all of the above.

For instance, want to see how catty girls can be and watch incredible beauty transformations? Just turn on America's Next Top Model! (Okay guys, I know you have your own reasons for watching that one.) Would you rather see a "prequel" to Iron Chef? Then switch on Bravo TV for some Top Chef episodes. And who doesn't love to pretend they can pick out the next big recording artist on American Idol?!

For me, one of my favorite reality shows that I haven't been able to let go of is The Apprentice. I know for most of you this one probably didn't make it past Season 2. I usually don't have any problem letting go of a tv series that has jumped the shark, until now. You might remember my post about this season's "Celebrity Apprentice" and how it had all the makings of great tv. Unfortunately, while the stars where present, the episodes were sooo annoyingly identical this season.

Basically about 90-95% of the tasks boiled down to who had the best "black book" and the most generous friends/donors in order to get big money and "win the task." So what do you do when "the formula" has become a bit rancid and stinky from overuse? You totally ignore fire the really deserving and qualified candidate for the final episode (yes, I'm talking about Carol Alt) and you gain viewership by making it a good vs bad, America vs. Britain, soft-spoken cowboy vs. ruthless talent judge thing.

Now that the season finale is this Thursday, I must say that I am debating over whether or not I will tune in...but I WILL DVR it! I know, I know.... I'm way too sucked in to this madness!

Sex, Lies, and Charitable Contributions

If you know me, and I know most of you don't so just to let you know, I LOVE (yes, with caps) the Holidays! I absolutely love this time of year when there is that electric mania in the air. When you can go outside and smell the pines, feel the crisp nights (in California we have to wait until the sun goes down to feel the chill of the season - at least on most days), and go into overdrive to get everything on the never-ending holiday "to-do" list done.

And while I've been enjoying the early start to the television Christmas Specials - Poppy and I have already seen A Charlie Brown Christmas, Shrek the Halls, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas - I must admit that I'm kind of already looking forward to the end of the holiday season for the first time in my life.

It's not because things have gotten too hectic with trying to buy, wrap and send gifts, decorate the house like Martha Stewart, set up an outdoor display rivaling Clark Griswold's (I couldn't pass up the Christmas Vacation reference), or bake wonderfully tastey treats to give to all the important people in our lives while keeping up with the usual over-stuffed schedule. It's just that on Thursday, January 3rd, history will be made. For all you reality tv junkies out there, that's the night Celebrity Apprentice debuts!

I know, I know, another Apprentice. We all know the formula, we've seen it a million times. The couple who "finds love" while competing for the coveted spot, the secret alliances, the usual tasks, the backstabbing and doing "just enough" to be seen as a competent business person so you don't get fired in the boardroom. Yet, how can you go wrong watching Gene Simmons (the quintessential business man who has mastered the art of self-marketing while maintaining his ultimate rockstar playboy status) work with someone like Stephen Baldwin, a "born-again Christian" who has been touring the country speaking and touting his new book "The Unusual Suspect, My Calling to the New Hardcore Movement of Faith."

Mix that combination together with the likes of Tiffany Fallon (2005 Playboy Playmate of the Year), boxing champ Lennox Lewis, Latina media powerhouse Nely Galan (former President of hugely successful Telemundo), and "The Sopranos" actor Vincent Pastore, and you've got a recipe for sparks to fly and fabulous quotes to be made. I may even have enough new fodder to replace some of my standard "Caddyshack", "Godfather" and "Smokey and the Bandit" quotes! (And I will definitely post those later.)

Best of all, and keeping in line with the Holiday Season, these celebreties aren't actually working for a job. (Duh!) Instead they will be raising money as well as awareness for their favorite charities and causes. Definitely a win-win.

Now, aren't you happy you have something to look forward to after the Holidays?!