Top Chef All Stars - Episode 1 - The Gang's All Here

So who watched Top Chef: All Stars last night? I did – and I thought it was the most enjoyable 75 minutes of television I’ve seen in a long time.

Please Note: I purposefully didn’t “Drunk Tweet” the show in order to take good notes and write a proper recap today. However, two things conspired against that…

• I forgot to bring my notes with me.

• The “All Star” Cheftestants are, much like the Top Chef Masters, are so aware of themselves, their ‘characters’, and their images – that it may be difficult to recap. DRAMA = FUN RECAPS, and these Cheftestants are all celebrities now, and most of them know each other. So I wonder just how much DRAMA there will be this season.

Here are some bullet points just from memory. Forgive my scattered train-of-thought:

• Last night was a great walk down Memory Lane, but I’m not sure casual fans of the show enjoyed it as much as I did. The elimination challenge was awesome – recreate the dish(es) that sent each person home, but it was a little bit insider-y.

• 18 Cheftestants is A LOT of people to keep track of.

• There is a special place in my heart for the Season Four (Chicago) Cheftestants – since it was the first season I recapped. And as much stank as I threw toward Dale Talde and Spike Mendelsohn – they are actually now my two favorites.

•  I love Dale because he’s a smack talking shorty who called out Chef Michael Chiarello on his douchery during Top Chef Masters. And I love Spike because… well, he’s Spike. As Chef Bourdain said last night – he is probably the sneakiest M-Fer to ever appear on the show. And Spike is actually a nice guy – I’ve corresponded with him on Twitter, and he totally doesn’t hate me for calling him an Asshat or accusing him of having a homobromance with Crazy Andrew.

• On the other hand, there are some Cheftestants who I simply cannot stand. Marcel, Mike and Stephen fall into this category. I also don’t care for Casey (I’ll never forgive her for what she did to Carla) and Elia. And I swear to Jeebus, if Angelo wins this I’ll be furious.

• Gail. Boobies. ‘Nuf said.

• I love how happy Tom Colicchio and Padma were to see these Cheftestants again. You could just see by the smiles on everybody’s faces that they are enjoying this.

• Fabio. Oh Fabio … how I love thee. In my eyes, he is “Top Dog … Italian Dog” – but I thought he was gonna go all Tony Soprano on Anthony Bourdain’s ass last night after Bourdain talked smack about his pasta.

So, what did you think of last night’s episode – please let us know in the Comments.

UPDATE: To read my Episode Two Recap, click HERE.

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They Read My Mind...

Angel and Spike - now THAT would have been an interesting couple...

Bits & Pieces: Nice Models, Spike, Johnny Weir & Top Haircut

 

I got a cute comment from cute model Jonathan Isaiah (below), who I featured on January 27th...

LOL, somehow came across this blog site. thanks for the love & support man!

-respectfully,
Jonathan Isaiah 

Wasn't that sweet?!?  Much nicer that "TAKE MY PICTURES DOWN!!!".

 

Over the weekend I watched Be Good Johnny Weir, an ongoing documentary on the Sundance Channel about figure skater Johnny Weir (above).  He is likable and funny (and oh-so-gay), and it was interesting watching all the hard work he puts into his sport.

Yesterday it was reported that Johnny was bowing to pressure from animal rights activists and will NOT use real fur in his Olympic costume (they had threatened to disrupt his routine).  This must have KILLED that queen, because Johnny LOVES his "fuh". 

Here's a blast from the past...

Chef Spike Mendelsohn from Top Chef Season 4 is following me on Twitter.  Goodness, I wonder if he's read all the STANK I wrote about him in my recaps?!?  I actually feel bad now...

And, finally...

Did anybody watch Top Haircut A.K.A. Shear Genius last night?  OMG - how HORRIBLE was Camila Alves (above)?  Shhhhh ... be VEWWWWY qwiet ... she's hunting WABBITS!!  Camila Alves makes Rene Fris sound like Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music.

PLUS Jonathan Antin (who I can't stand) is on Shear Genius this season - so I personally won't be watching.  However, if you are a fan, the folks at Blogging Bravo will provide you with everything you need to know.  Also, our good friend The Minx will be doing her patented hysterical recaps - so I feel like there is no need for me to mention Shear Genius ever again...

>P, B!!

So True...

Top Chef Tomorrow: AssHats Return!

You MUST check out The Minx's Top Chef preview videos HERE. AssHat buddies Spike and Andrew (above), and other former Cheftestants return for tomorrow's Elimination challenge. And the Quickfire challenge features Quaker Oats ...

Watch what happens, Bitches!