Me at Mania

I don’t think I was ever more excited to wake up at 4 Am than when I got ready to fly to Miami for Wrestlemania XXVIII on Friday, March 30. The flight was quick with the only inconvenience being that I had to cover my ears with headphones so as to not hear two jackasses behind me try to spoil the ending of the 3^rd book of The Hunger Games. I quickly got in a shuttle with some other wrestling fans to our hotel and made it to the Hyatt Regency Miami just before lunch time. Because my other two buddies Justin and Anthony were not going to arrive for a bit, I decided to venture out, check out the surrounding area, and grab some lunch.

My first impression was that the harbor was just incredible looking. A good traveler never goes anywhere unprepared. Before the trip, I prepared a restaurant list with all types of cuisine. My first stop was Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue, a no frills bar serving up the usual options with a plethora of different sauces. I was very pleased with my selection of the BBQ Pork sandwich with fried pickles, mac & cheese, and coleslaw. The meat was succulent, the sauces were divine, and I was immediately rejuvenated me for the rest of the day. By the time the meal was over, my friends had arrived and I reunited with Anthony and Justin for the first time in almost three years. We previously attended Wrestlemania XXIV in Orlando and made a pact to go again if something huge happened in a good city. With the Rock returning to wrestling to face John Cena in his first singles match in 8 years and the venue being the gorgeous city of Miami, the time was now to return.

After some introductory conversation and pool time, we headed to the incredible River Oyster Bar for Happy Hour oysters, beverages, and dinner. I had a salmon with crab fried rice, some raw oysters, several Stella Artois drafts, and a Macadamia Nut sundae. Everything delivered in spade and our next stop was Ocean Drive to attend a party hosted by ex-wrestlers Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, X-Pac, and Rikishi at Ocean’s Ten Club. You knew you were surrounded by hardcore wrestling fans when at a beautiful open-air club, fans were chanting “YES, YES, YES” in support of Indy Legend and at the time World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan all night long. From what I could tell, the wrestlers were very gracious with the fans. The atmosphere was awesome and it was a great way to introduce ourselves to the city.

On Saturday morning, we woke early to attend Wrestlemania Axxess, an annual WWE theme park of sorts that they set up at a convention center with exhibits, meet and greets, and live matches. It was a complete thrill to get to meet Roddy Piper, a main eventer at the first Wrestlemania and living legend, at the morning session. He took pictures with me and my buddies, talked to us a bit, and seemed extremely pleased to be there. Another thrill was getting to audition for The Marine 3. WWE Studios is a joke itself, but getting to act out a scene on camera in front of my friends was humorous and provided several great photo opportunities. I also loved getting to take a picture with the replica WWE title belt over my head. One other factoid was how popular CM Punk was. At the “ Superstar Entrance” attraction at Axxess, people mostly chose CM Punk’s “Cult of Personality” over that of the Rock, Triple H, and John Cena to name a few. The summer of Punk which got the man in Rolling Stone and On Bill Simmons’ podcast propelled his merchandise to surpass the sales of John Cena in the 4^th quarter last year, the first time in six years someone did that. Hopefully the company continues to use Punk strongly as he can be an asset for them for years to come.

Later that day, we went to an incredible Italian Restaurant Fratelli Milano that delivered an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Miami.  The handmade pasta provided us the fuel to walk over to the American Airlines Arena for the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony. WWE initiated a dress code of “neat casual” this year, a standard so confusing that people showed up in tees and shorts, tuxedos, and golf shirts and jeans (what I wore). The big inductees this year were the Four Horsemen (Ric Flair’s signature stable) and Edge (one of the best workers in the past 12 years who’s career was derailed due to nagging neck injuries at the age of 38). The Hall has a reputation as the classiest night of the year in the industry and this year’s ceremony lived up to that. After giving credit to all the performers that got him to where he went in the business, Edge was hilarious in reflecting on some of the best moments of his journey. A highlight was a discussion of rooming with Tommy Dreamer on the road one night after he told Edge that he didn’t snore. Suffice to say, Dreamer lied and Edge got up in the middle of the night buck naked, did the Superfly Jimmy Snuka pose, and gave Dreamer the Snuka splash (check Youtube for what it looks like) to stop the horrendous noise. He also made a great comparison of his three best friends in the business to the Seinfeld cast. Rather than be played off to the generic Hall of Fame Music, WWE paid for Foo Fighters and Edge rocked out at the end of his speech performing 5-second poses to tremendous crowd adoration and applause. It’s sad to see Edge done at 38 years old, but the guy is in a good place and will definitely do some big things in the future.

Ric Flair, who was inducted back in 2008 before his last match with Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXIV, cried like a baby and was so honored to be the first double-inductee. He told stories of partying till the wee hours of morning with John Cena and telling his 4^th wife that he would never grow up. Why? “I’m a horseman baby, WOOOOO!” There was also a funny tale about his 2^nd wife where she wanted to go home one night. Ric, being the party animal he is, said he wouldn’t leave until close and that if his wife mentioned going home again, he would punt her purse across the bar. She asked again, he punted the purse across the bar, and divorce number two was set in motion. Each of the Four Horsemen got to deliver speeches and you could see how emotional the public recognition of their work from two decades ago made them.

We capped off Saturday night with several drinks and shots at Hoops Bar across from American Airlines Arena. The bartenders were dressed in referee attire that fit in with the hundreds of televisions throughout the facility. It was a great way to discuss what we witnessed and get ready for the main event on Sunday. Mania day kicked off with an Al Fresco brunch at Deli-Lane Café and pre-game at the hotel pool with Bud Lights. Eventually the bus transportation included into the package arrived and we took off for Sun Life Stadium. Our seats were incredible due to the travel package as they put you directly across from the hard camera. Besides the incredible production which included as much pyro and fireworks as you would see at Disney World, a beautiful set, military flyover, and a touching rendition of America the Beautiful from Lillian Garcia, this Wrestlemania will be remembered most for the End of an Era Hell in the Cell Match between Undertaker and Triple H with Shawn Michaels as guest referee and the Rock/Cena Once in a Lifetime main event. An honorable mention of something that will be remembered is the birth of the “YES, YES, YES” chants that got Daniel Bryan a new t-shirt following the weekend’s festivities.

From the facial expressions to the move combinations and false finishes, Triple H and Undertaker put on a classic that will be talked about for years to come. The crowd repeatedly chanted, “This is awesome,” and there was a feeling that Taker might finally go down at Wrestlemania after Michaels delivered sweet chin music sending the Deadman right into a pedigree for a great near-fall. Instead after dozens of chair shots, sledgehammer hits, and other assorted shenanigans, Taker took Hunter’s sledgehammer away from him, wacked him in the head with it, and tombstone piledrove him for the finish. After the 20-0 banner flashed on the stage, all three men hugged celebrating the culmination of a 4 year storyline of Undertaker working with Triple H and Shawn Michaels at the biggest show of the year to a large standing ovation.

Rock/Cena was pure spectacle with the crowd firmly behind hometown boy Rock and booing John Cena out of the building. The Rock had Flo Rida play him out to the ring, while Cena had Diddy product Machine Gun Kelly. The match was a 30 minutes of back and forth action with loud chants, momentum swings, charisma, and one heck of a finish. Most smart fans expected Cena to go over as Rock is a movie star while Cena works every week. Rock went for a cross-body off the top rope and was caught by Cena who gave him the Attitude Adjustment, a move where Cena lifts his opponent above his shoulders and drives him into the mat. Rock kicked out of the pin attempt causing Cena to mockingly go for a people’s elbow, the Rock’s signature move. Rock got up during Cena’s attempt and hit a Rock bottom to get the win to one of the loudest ovations I’ve ever been a part of. The Sun Life Stadium crowd was party-like as the Rock walked around thanking everyone to end the night. While WWE had Brock Lesnar in the back ready to re-debut imminently, it was smart to let the Rock have his moment with the fans before heading back to Hollywood.

Overall Wrestlemania functions as a time capsule of the year that was in WWE where storylines culminate in epic fashion in front of a stadium-sized crowd. This was easily one of the best ones WWE has put on and it was awesome to attend it with my friends and take it all in. While the talent roster is incredibly thin in WWE right now, bringing back vets like the guys mentioned above gave the show that special feel. Miami delivered on everything including the exceptional weather, great venues, banners around the city to get the word out, awesome food, drinks, and great accommodations. I would not be shocked to see the city to receive another Wrestlemania someday.

Me at Mania

I don’t think I was ever more excited to wake up at 4 Am than when I got ready to fly to Miami for Wrestlemania XXVIII on Friday, March 30. The flight was quick with the only inconvenience being that I had to cover my ears with headphones so as to not hear two jackasses behind me try to spoil the ending of the 3^rd book of The Hunger Games. I quickly got in a shuttle with some other wrestling fans to our hotel and made it to the Hyatt Regency Miami just before lunch time. Because my other two buddies Justin and Anthony were not going to arrive for a bit, I decided to venture out, check out the surrounding area, and grab some lunch.

My first impression was that the harbor was just incredible looking. A good traveler never goes anywhere unprepared. Before the trip, I prepared a restaurant list with all types of cuisine. My first stop was Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue, a no frills bar serving up the usual options with a plethora of different sauces. I was very pleased with my selection of the BBQ Pork sandwich with fried pickles, mac & cheese, and coleslaw. The meat was succulent, the sauces were divine, and I was immediately rejuvenated me for the rest of the day. By the time the meal was over, my friends had arrived and I reunited with Anthony and Justin for the first time in almost three years. We previously attended Wrestlemania XXIV in Orlando and made a pact to go again if something huge happened in a good city. With the Rock returning to wrestling to face John Cena in his first singles match in 8 years and the venue being the gorgeous city of Miami, the time was now to return.

After some introductory conversation and pool time, we headed to the incredible River Oyster Bar for Happy Hour oysters, beverages, and dinner. I had a salmon with crab fried rice, some raw oysters, several Stella Artois drafts, and a Macadamia Nut sundae. Everything delivered in spade and our next stop was Ocean Drive to attend a party hosted by ex-wrestlers Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, X-Pac, and Rikishi at Ocean’s Ten Club. You knew you were surrounded by hardcore wrestling fans when at a beautiful open-air club, fans were chanting “YES, YES, YES” in support of Indy Legend and at the time World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan all night long. From what I could tell, the wrestlers were very gracious with the fans. The atmosphere was awesome and it was a great way to introduce ourselves to the city.

On Saturday morning, we woke early to attend Wrestlemania Axxess, an annual WWE theme park of sorts that they set up at a convention center with exhibits, meet and greets, and live matches. It was a complete thrill to get to meet Roddy Piper, a main eventer at the first Wrestlemania and living legend, at the morning session. He took pictures with me and my friends, talked to us a bit, and seemed extremely pleased to be there. Another thrill was getting to audition for The Marine 3. WWE Studios is a joke itself, but getting to act out a scene on camera in front of my friends was humorous and provided several great photo opportunities. I also loved getting to take a picture with the replica WWE title belt over my head. One other factoid was how popular CM Punk was. At the “ Superstar Entrance” attraction at Axxess, people mostly chose CM Punk’s “Cult of Personality” over that of the Rock, Triple H, and John Cena to name a few. The summer of Punk which got the man in Rolling Stone and On Bill Simmons’ podcast propelled his merchandise to surpass the sales of John Cena in the 4^th quarter last year, the first time in six years someone did that. Hopefully the company continues to use Punk strongly as he can be an asset for them for years to come.

Later that day, we went to an incredible Italian Restaurant Fratelli Milano that delivered an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Miami.  This provided us the fuel to walk over to the American Airlines Arena for the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony. WWE initiated a dress code of “neat casual” this year, a standard so confusing that people showed up in tees and shorts, tuxedos, and golf shirts and jeans (what I wore). The big inductees this year were the 4 Horsemen (Ric Flair’s signature stable) and Edge (one of the best workers in the past 12 years who’s career was derailed due to nagging neck injuries at the age of 38). The Hall has a reputation as the classiest night of the year in the industry and this year’s ceremony lived up to that. After giving credit to all the performers that got him to where he went in the business, Edge was hilarious in reflecting on some of the best moments of his journey. A highlight was a discussion of rooming with Tommy Dreamer on the road one night after he told Edge that he didn’t snore. Suffice to say, Dreamer lied and Edge got up in the middle of the night buck naked, did the Superfly Jimmy Snuka pose, and gave Dreamer the Snuka splash (check Youtube for what it looks like) to stop the horrendous noise. He also made a great comparison of his three best friends in the business to the Seinfeld cast. Rather than be played off to the generic Hall of Fame Music, WWE paid for Foo Fighters and Edge rocked out at the end of his speech performing 5-second poses to tremendous crowd adoration and applause. It’s sad to see Edge done at 38 years old, but the guy is in a good place and will definitely do some big things in the future.

Ric Flair, who was inducted back in 2008 before his last match with Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXIV, cried like a baby and was so honored to be the first double-inductee. He told stories of partying till the wee hours of morning with John Cena and telling his 4^th wife that he would never grow up. Why? “I’m a horseman baby, WOOOOO!” There was also a funny tail about his 2^nd wife where she wanted to go home one night. Ric, being the party animal he is, said he wouldn’t leave until close and that if his wife mentioned going home again, he would punt her purse across the bar. She asked again, he punted the purse across the bar, and divorce number two was set in motion. Each of the Four Horsemen got to deliver speeches and you could see how emotional the public recognition of their work from two decades ago made them.

We capped off Saturday night with several drinks and shots at Hoops Bar across from American Airlines Arena. The bartenders were dressed in referee attire that fit in with the hundreds of televisions throughout the facility. It was a great way to discuss what we witnessed and get ready for the main event on Sunday. Mania day kicked off with an Al Fresco brunch at Deli-Lane Café and pre-game at the hotel pool with Bud Lights. Eventually the bus transportation included into the package arrived and we took off for Sun Life Stadium. Our seats were incredible due to the travel package as they put you directly across from the hard camera. Besides the incredible production which included as much pyro and fireworks as you would see at Disney World, a beautiful set, military flyover, and a touching rendition of America the Beautiful from Lillian Garcia, this Wrestlemania will be remembered most for the End of an Era Hell in the Cell Match between Undertaker and Triple H with Shawn Michaels as guest referee and the Rock/Cena Once in a Lifetime main event. An honorable mention of something that will be remembered are the birth of the “YES, YES, YES” chants that got Daniel Bryan a new t-shirt following the weekend’s festivities.

From the facial expressions to the move combinations and false finishes, Triple H and Undertaker put on a classic that will be talked about for years to come. The crowd repeatedly chanted, “This is awesome,” and there was a feeling that Taker might finally go down at Wrestlemania after Michaels delivered sweet chin music sending the Deadman right into a pedigree for a great near-fall. Instead after dozens of chair shots, sledgehammer hits, and other assorted shenanigans, Taker took Hunter’s sledgehammer away from him, wacked him in the head with hit, and tombstone piledrove him for the finish. After the 20-0 banner flashed on the stage, all three men hugged celebrating the culmination of a 4 year storyline of Undertaker working with Triple H and Shawn Michaels at the biggest show of the year to a large standing ovation.

Rock/Cena was pure spectacle with the crowd firmly behind hometown boy Rock and booing John Cena out of the building. The Rock had Flo Rida play him out to the ring, while Cena had Diddy product Machine Gun Kelly. The match was a 30 minutes of back and forth action with loud chants, momentum swings, charisma, and one heck of a finish. Most smart fans expected Cena to go over as Rock is a movie star while Cena works every week. Rock went for a cross-body off the top rope and was caught by Cena who gave him the Attitude Adjustment, a move where Cena lifts his opponent above his shoulders and drives him into the mat. Rock kicked out of the pin attempt causing Cena to mockingly go for a people’s elbow, the Rock’s signature move. Rock got up during Cena’s attempt and hit a Rock bottom to get the win to one of the loudest ovations I’ve ever been a part of. The Sun Life Stadium crowd was party-like as the Rock walked around thanking everyone to end the night. While WWE had Brock Lesnar in the back ready to re-debut imminently, it was smart to let the Rock have his moment with the fans before heading back to Hollywood.

Overall Wrestlemania functions as a time capsule of the year that was in WWE where storylines  culminate in epic fashion in front of a stadium-sized crowd. This was easily one of the best ones WWE has put on and it was awesome to attend it with my friends and take it all in. While the talent roster is incredibly thin in WWE right now, bringing back vets like the guys mentioned above gave the show that special feel. Miami delivered on everything including the exceptional weather, great venues, banners around the city to get the word out, awesome food, drinks, and great accommodations. I would not be shocked to see the city to receive another Wrestlemania someday.

Courtesy of FOX

American Idol season 11 is well underway with the most well-balanced collection of talent the show has had in years. The judges have gotten back to critiquing the performances this year, which is a shock since Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez added nothing but star-power last year. The race is on to see who will make it to the finale at the Kodak Theater and fight for a recording contract. Here is where I believe the contestants stand at this point in the competition.

9. Heejun Hun

A natural comedian and trained actor, Heejun is the funniest contestant Idol has ever had with a constant stream of one-liners in his video packages and spot-on reactions to Seacrest. Unfortunately, Idol is a singing competition and while Heejun has talent, his voice isn’t on par with the top singers this year. He bastardized Billy Joel’s “My Life” in an unfunny, bad karaoke performance that will probably keep him in the bottom three until he is sent home.

8. Deandre Brackensick

Deandre has an unbelievable falsetto, but suffers from being young and not knowing quite what type of artist he wants to be. He in back to back weeks delivered weird, awkward versions of “Endless Love” and “Only the Good Die Young.” The model Idol winner in the past few years has been guy playing the guitar and Deandre is anything but that. He made the tour and should be happy with that.

7. Elise Testone

One of the season’s older contestants at 28 years of age, Elise’s experience shines through with her seductive, sultry voice that she can move you with almost effortlessly. Unfortunately, she got some strange critiques in top 12 week and his been in the bottom three each week since. Part of her problem has to do with how she has taken the news. Sometimes she shows utter frustration and lack of compassion for her fellow competitors when they get sent over to join her, all marks against her receiving votes from American. Luckily for her, she killed Billy Joel’s “Amelia,” and her vocal prowess cannot be denied. Whether upping the amount of smiles she makes per week can shoot her up the list remains to be seen, but she has a future in the recording industry, no doubt.

6. Colton Dixon

Season 11’s resident punk rocker with his mullet hairstyle and Indy rock roots. His stripped down tender version of “Piano Man” on a red piano was an Idol moment, no doubt and if he can continue changing things up, there is reason to believe that he has a chance to win. Cut last year in the Hollywood stage of the competition, Colton almost didn’t come back and audition this year, simply accompanying his sister to her audition. The judges forced him to sing and he finds himself going on the Idol 2012 summer tour and guaranteed a six-figure payday. His story is strong and his personality remains appealing for voters of all ages.

5. Skylar Laine

Skylar can aptly be described as an 18-year old version of Reba McEntire with natural spunk and youthful energy always a part of her energetic and fun performance. She slayed “Stay with Me” by Faces to make it into the top 13, a performance so colorful and engaging, that it may have been the top performance on Top 25 night. I haven’t heard her hit a bum note yet and if I was a country fan, she would be at the top of the list. She continues to grow as a performer and is definitely one to continue to watch as the season progresses on.

4. Joshua Ledet

Nicknamed “Mantasia” due to the wide array of similarities between his voice and that of season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino, Joshua has an enormous powerhouse of an instrument. His take on “When a Man Loves a Woman” was a huge Idol moment and one I implore you to seek out on youtube. He sometimes has trouble connecting emotionally with his lyrics, but as he gains more experience on the big stage, another Idol moment or two for him should be forthcoming. His laid back, charming demeanor make him an appealing candidate for America’s vote and one that could easily win this season’s title.

3. Jessica Sanchez

The tone and pitch of the awe-inspiring 17-year old Jessica Sanchez’s voice can take your breath away. On Whitney Houston night, she delivered a stupendous version of “I will Always Love You,” that earned a standing ovation from the judges and brought the house down. She can sing the phonebook and may finally bring Idol its first woman winner since 2007. Whether she goes for an up-tempo number or a diva ballad, the world stops when Jessica sings and I can’t wait to see how she continues to one-up herself week after week.

2. Hollie Cavanagh

My personal favorite contestant of Season 11, Hollie reminds me of Celine Dion and no example better illustrates that than her take on Celine’s “The Power of Love.” The 18-year old Australian tells a story each week with her voice and always leaves you satisfied with her ability to hit the high glory notes to close each performance. That she didn’t receive a lot of screen time in the audition stages and has ascended so rapidly shows that her voice has captured the attention of America. In Top 25 week when she needed to stand out to make the Top 13, she went with the Pocahontas song “Reflection” that showed the control, enunciation, and personality that defined the type of performer she is to the masses. If she continues to make smart song choices and tries some up-tempo numbers, she can make the finale in May.

1. Phillip Phillips

A simple, unassuming guy that is one with his guitar, Phillip represents the type of contestant that has won Idol for the last several years. His takes on “Superstition” and “In the Air Tonight” showed the versatility his vocals and guitar skills bring to the table. He is also a guy that is not going to change who he is as was seen when he flat-out disregarded Tommy Hilfiger’s advice to not wear gray on stage when performing Billy Joel’s “Moving Out.” His performances are always fun, the chicks dig him, and he makes each song his own. What makes this season so intriguing is that the top 6 contestants are all capable of winning and how they handle the pressure in their 90 second weekly performances will determine elimination order and the deserving winner. The only guaranteed winner this year is America.

Courtesy of FX

Back in 2010, I was pumped for the debut of Justified, an FX series based on infamous crime novel writer Elmore Leonard’s short story, Fire in the Hole. The main character of the show is U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a rugged, tough loner with a cowboy hat who happens to know how to use a gun expertly to get out of precarious situations that he encounters protecting Harlan County in Kentucky. In the Pilot, his chief adversary and rival Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) starts blowing up churches and other buildings with a rocket launcher. Raylan eventually finds Boyd and puts a bullet in his chest. With great action, novel-like dialogue, and excitement throughout the pilot, the foundation was laid for a great series.

Unfortunately, the show became procedural in nature, settling on the lazy CBS-patented villain of the week formula with little plot carrying over from week to week. About midway through the first season though, Walton Goggins signed on as a series regular, a concerted effort was made to create season-long arcs, and the show morphed into one of the best hours of television. Giant steps were taken in season two when Margo Martindale, in an Emmy-winning turn as drug-lord Mags Bennett, gave Raylan fits over the course of the season with her twisted sons, poisonous apple pies, and scary presence. Boyd found himself on a journey to become a better man, and sought guidance from the Lord. Raylan found love with his ex-wife Winona once again by helping her get away from her crazy new husband while also battling the Bennetts. Season 2 ended with Mags out of the picture except for her incarcerated son Dickie, Boyd ready re-enter and dominate the criminal world, and Raylan suffering from a bullet wound.

The most instrumental event that helped this show become something special was Goggins earning a major role on it. Supposedly, Walton did the pilot as a favor to one of the producers, but the chemistry was so electrifying between him and Olyphant, they changed the ending of the pilot so that Boyd didn’t die. Goggins matched wits for seven seasons with Michael Chiklis on The Shield, so he’s no stranger great episodic drama. The Boyd/Raylan relationship provides the heart of the show as these two characters were cut from the same cloth and grew up around each other witnessing the horror and viciousness that some of the town’s inhabitants brought to the world. It’s no secret that while Boyd followed in the footsteps of his criminal father while Raylan chose law enforcement, there is a quiet respect and feeling of understanding between both men. Getting to watch an ever-changing deranged sociopath in Boyd on a weekly basis is one of the most exciting things on television at the moment. Having two powerhouses portray this very complicated relationship between Raylan and Boyd only helps matters. That both Olyphant and Goggins earned acting nominations at the Emmys last year is a testament to both the strong writing and dynamic talent on display in the show.

Season 3 is well underway Tuesday nights at 9 on FX and the theme this year is danger everywhere. Boyd has his crew and they are out for blood and money by any means necessary. Neal McDonough and Mykelti Williamson joined the cast this season as new villains to fill the big hole Mags’ departure left. McDonough exemplifies creepy as “carpetbagger” Robert Quarles, a ruthless killer hell-bent on running a drug scheme on all of Harlan County. Quarles has a hidden sleeve-gun on his person that he has already taken out multiple people with. Willamson plays Ellstin Limehouse, a hard-working farmer and protector of abused women. Limehouse also had a deal in place to protect Mags’ fortune, a pot every villain in the county is after once news of her downfall leaked. Limehouse obviously has taken some of the money for a criminal scheme of his own that will come out as the season progresses. Jeremy Davies continues to appear as Dickie Bennett, Mags’ dumb, limping son who has an intense hatred for Raylan due to him making Dickie the way he is. Meanwhile, in addition to dealing with all this evil, Raylan’s pregnant girlfriend Winona has taken off due to a lack of attention from her man.

Watching this show is akin to reading a novel. Each character has three dimensions and a fully-formed personality showing us the audience why they behave the way they do. An example of this would be one-time Boyd follower Dewey Crowe. Last week, he got out of jail and into the hands of some maniacs who told him that they cut out his kidneys. He was given instructions to acquire an amount of money for his kidneys or die. While he participated in despicable activities in the past, you couldn’t help but wonder about the poor man’s fate as he raced around town in an increasingly frantic state. The best part about this season is that there isn’t just one adversary. There are 4-5 different ones and they all have relationships with each other in addition to Raylan coming at them. How things shake out remains up in the air in an exciting way. Get on board one of the best dramas on television when you can as no other show is as well-presented on television at the moment.

Courtesy of NBC

Here are my ten favorite scripted shows of 2011 with a few thoughts on each. It was a great year filled with a lot of quality stuff. Some other shows that deserve mention for being good but didn’t make the cut are Modern Family, The Good Wife, New Girl, True Blood, Wilfred, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Treme, Falling Skies, Parenthood and Cougar Town.

10. SONS OF ANARCHY

Kurt Sutter crafted an emotionally-charged tension-filled season with inner-club turmoil threatening to break SAMCRO for good. Charlie Hunnam and Maggie Siff delivered awesome performances throughout and the stakes were never higher. A finale that undid a lot of what was set up is why this ends up lower on the list.

9. COMMUNITY

When this comedy is on its game, there is nothing more original on television. I loved the paintball sequel, the Glee spoof, Donald Glover screaming at Lavar Burton, and the seven timeline episodes especially. I hope NBC gets this show back on the air ASAP this Spring.

8. BOARDWALK EMPIRE

The Jimmy/Nucky season 2 conflict delivered in spades as all the maneuvering, scheming, and killings led to a fateful climax for one of the main characters of the first two seasons. With a distinct look, terrific acting, and ballsy writing from Terrence Winter, Boardwalk took a big-step forward creatively in year 2.

7. LOUIE

Season 2 of Louie was one deranged, dark, hilarious ride that could only come from the brilliant mind of the ultra-popular stand-up comic. From plots dealing with Louis bringing a duck to Iraq to a one of a kind confrontation with Dane Cook at MSG, you never knew what you would get each week, but knew that it would be some of the best written entertainment on television.

6. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

“Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose.” Jason Katim’s five season masterpiece finally came to a close in brilliant fashion in a season that finally brought Kyle Chandler a richly-deserved Emmy for his work as Coach Taylor. With returns from the past and compelling plots with the current inhabitants of Dillon, FNL season 5 gave all fans the closure they were looking for with great moments at every turn.

5. GAME OF THRONES

HBO’s new fantasy epic burst onto the scene in grand form. Featuring a tremendous battle over power in the Kingdom of Westeros, the show delivered twists, deception, sex, snarky dialogue, and action in unique and incredible ways. No one was prepared for the shocking death the climax of the season would bring but with dragons now in the picture and no one appearing to be safe, season 2 should up the ante this coming Spring as the answer for who really is the king comes to fruition. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion was the standout earning an Emmy for his work as the imp, Tyrion Lannister.

4. JUSTIFIED

Season 2 was incredible featuring the three-way feud between Raylan Givens, Boyd Crowder, and the vicious Mags Bennett. Margo Martindale earned an Emmy for her portrayal of Mags while Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins got to continue showing off some of the greatest chemistry on the small screen as Raylan struggled to believe Boyd was a changed man of faith after all the damage he had caused.  With great banter due to the novel-like writing, tremendous action, and well-defined three-dimensional characters, Justified is one of the finest shows on television at the moment.

3.  PARKS AND RECREATION

Parks delivered the perfect season in season 3 as the colorful cast sought about creating a great Harvest Festival while the romance between Leslie and her boss Ben heated up. Combining the stupid innocence of Andy and April, the stand-up type A personalities in Leslie and Ben, the Hollywood Dreams of Tom Haverford, and the funniest character on television, Ron Swanson, Parks and Rec has something for everyone. The combination of sharp humor and characters with heart continues to impress in ways no other comedy comes that close to matching. Here’s to hoping there are many more episodes ahead.

2. HOMELAND

Bursting onto the scene this fall, Showtime’s epic new series showed that when you combine great actors with a great concept, a winning show emerges. Claire Danes played bipolar CIA agent Carrie Matheson, a woman convinced that recently returned marine Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) has been turned into a terrorist. Throughout the season, we are never quite sure what to make of Brody and the ways Carrie stays right on his tail are shocking and fun to watch. Both leads deserve Emmys as this series delivered week after week with stakes continually raising to a thrilling climax in the finale. Luckily for us, the show will be back for season 2 next year.

1. BREAKING BAD

“I am the one who knocks.” This Walter White quote sums up season 4 of one of the best dramas ever created. From the tremendous breakdown of the Jesse/Walt alliance to the riveting Walter/Gus conflict, season 4 of Breaking Bad delivered everything a fan could have hoped for. It answered once and for all whether Walt would be Scarface or a pawn in the drug game and showed the depths he’d stoop to in order to get there. Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Giancarlo Esposito all deserve acting awards. Vince Gilligan continues to craft briliant scripts while also putting to film what is the most beautiful-looking show on television. I can’t wait for the sixteen-episode final season.

This place may not be Chicago, but Valparaiso is home to some great dining options. What follows is a look at the highlights from the perspective of someone who has 2.5 years worth of experience dining in and around the area. For fine dining, nothing beats Bistro 157. The Chef serves up a terrific menu specializing in seafood, sushi, stuffed chickens, pastas, and other assorted seasonal items complemented by a great wine selection in a chic, stylish dining room that would fit right in a big city. The sushi is second to none in this town while every other dish is sensationally crafted by their amazing chef.

Another excellent option is Pikk’s Tavern, with its tremendous array of draft beers, and pub-like atmosphere. Specialties are the cedar plank salmon, chopped salad, and their house burger. This place also runs a tasty brunch on Sundays featuring surf and turf benedict and stuffed French toast. If you want a fun meal in a lively, sophisticated environment, Pikks should be on your list to try. An honorable mention upscale spot is Dish on Calumet. They have a 9 dollar bento box lunch, great wine selection, and tasty chef cuisine. While pricy, the restaurant functions as a tasty treat every now and then when you are looking for something special.

As for Italian food, the best option is ZaZa Indiana up on Calumet next to El Salto. With a chef hailing from Rome, each dish is authentically and individually prepared. From delicious four cheese ravioli and portabella gnocchi to specials that include Pork tenderloin medallions and Fresh tilapia, you are guaranteed an amazing taste explosion in your mouth in a laid back atmosphere. They also package their takeout well, making that an interesting option if you want the authentic Italian meal without the hassle of cooking.

For barbecue, the king is Wagners. Its original location in Chesterton functions strictly as an adult-only bar. The one in Valparaiso seeks to provide food and drink for the entire family. Specialties are the fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs with regular or hot barbecue sauce and the pulled pork sandwich. Both go excellent with the house waffle fries. Other excellent choices include their buffalo chicken sandwich and wide array of half-pound burgers.

If you are looking for tasty pizza, the number one choice has to be Gelsosomos on LaPorte. This place always has a crowd and for good reason. Their sweet tomato sauce and expertly crafted pizzas (the sausage and cheese are tremendous) make this place quite the attraction. Also on the menu are wings, sandwiches, pastas, and specialty salads.

Mexican food options in Valparaiso include Margaritas, El Salto, and El Charro. All these places provide solid food with good beer specials and margaritas. Chipotle has recently opened for quality fast Mexican food. For steak, the best place in town is Kelsey’s Steakhouse by the Wal-Mart. They have early-bird specials from 4-6 daily that include 6 ounce filet medallions or their ribeye sandwich with potato and soup or salad. The shrimp cocktail is fantastic there.

Breakfast choices run the gamut in Valparaiso. If you want no frills quality food in a hospitable environment, Suzie’s Café on Route 30 delivers great bang for your buck. My favorite thing to get on the weekends at Suzie’s is their omelets with fresh fruit and homemade raisin toast. They also have specialty pancakes and French toast if sweet is what you are looking for. The newest breakfast option in town is the gorgeous Silver Spoon. It features a full-bar and upscale breakfast and lunch options such as a breakfast burrito, cobb salad wrap, and yogurt stuffed French toast. Everything feels fresh in there and there are no bad options on the menu.

If Valparaiso lacks any type of food, it would be Chinese. The China House in Downtown Valparaiso features flavorless entrees that lack meat and load on the vegetables. Jade Garden will deliver Chinese to you, but put it in a gigantic tube that looks disgusting. The only reliable Chinese option my friends and I have found is New Dragon by the Town and Country Grocery Store. Their specialties are the dinner combos which provide any Chinese dish you could imagine with pork fried rice and an egg roll. For seven bucks, you will be stuffed to a sufficient level.

Overall Valparaiso has several interesting dining options. One of the best places I forgot to mention is one you all must know, Maria Elenas right next to the law school. That place features Italian, Mexican, and American cuisine and also has a gorgeous patio for the spring and summer. Recently, that place has undergone a name change to Gabrielas. I’m optimistic that not much has changed and recommend trying it if you have not. While Valparaiso has all the chains we know and love like Buffalo Wild Wings, Panera Bread, etc., if you venture out, there are great dining options around every corner while you spend your three years here.

Courtesy of AMC

It is rather surprising that another network didn’t attempt to bring a series of uber-successful graphic novels to life in the television format sooner but give credit to AMC. They looked around and saw the success shows like True Blood were bringing to HBO and decided to dive-in with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead. In its first season last year, the network only ordered six episodes, barely enough time to establish characters or plot out an epic arc. The network was cautious due to the high production expense and wanted to see if fans would seek out something they had read or if people would sample zombie-fare in a weekly format.

The experiment paid off as an average of six million people watched each episode last season, making the show one of the most successful scripted shows on basic cable and the network gave it a thirteen episode pickup for this season. Starring Andrew Lincoln as Officer Rick, The Walking Dead is about a zombie epidemic overrunning the world destroying the economy and security that people feel in their lives. The only thing that matters is survival. Rick was shot on the day the epidemic hit the world. Fearing he wouldn’t mike it, his son Carl and wife Lori take off with Rick’s best friend in the police Shane to escape the zombies. Rick miraculously comes through and learns of the destruction zombies are bringing the world.

Season 1 had him find his family and the group of survivors that they had come to live with as one big, irregular family. Little known to Rick, however, was the fact that his wife and Shane engaged in a brief affair after believing he was dead. Other characters of note are Glenn, a tech-wiz young-man that has no fear of going into battle or on missions with Rick, Darryl, a sarcastic smartass who wields a crossbow with the constant goal of hopefully finding his missing brother Meryl after the group of survivors left the racist pig for dead last season, Andrea, a woman who has lost her will to live after witnessing the brutal murder of her sister by the zombies, and Dale, the calm, wise, older force that travels with the survivors and who has a particular interest in Andrea.

The series looks beautiful, as the group moves across the vast, empty, horrifying world with no ending to their terror in sight along with showcasing plenty of blood when the zombies are around. Zombie makeup looks incredible and they can truly be horrifying when there are fifty of them together. Tension lurks around every corner and you never know when the next scare will come from. The premiere this season ended with the shooting of young Carl by an unknown entity.

This season will showcase the group entering Herschel’s Farm, a familiar locale from the graphic novels. Ratings were up 30% for the premiere over last season, meaning the show will be around for years to come. That there is plenty of source material in the comics means there will be plenty of unique story material so that the constant zombie/human chase will never get boring. Kirkman has already deviated from the comics a bit by creating the character of Darryl, so who is to say there won’t be other surprise entrances down the line to keep people guessing about what is coming next.

One wonders when the Rick/Shane/Lori secret will come out and how Carl will survive his gunshot wound. It seems the writers may pair up Shane and Andrea, which has several exciting possibilities.  If you like adrenaline-infused shows that are packed to the gills with thrills and surprised, The Walking Dead is for you. The unique blend of a survival story and terror provide one awesome weekly television experience and you don’t want to be the one missing out on the water cooler discussion come Monday. Hopefully this show’s success will open the door for future graphic novel adaptations to the small screen in the near future. The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 8 PM on AMC.

Courtesy of SHOWTIME

There is no denying that the television networks have unleashed a bunch of mediocre shows this fall season. From garbage like a half-hearted reboot of Charlie’s Angels to NBC’s insipid Playboy Club and the overhyped bomb Terra Nova, it is tough to parcel out anything of substance worth investing your time into. The best new show of this development season are unfortunately being held off to the spring in the form of NBC’s Smash, a drama centered around a Broadway musical starring Katherine McPhee and Debra Messing. Having sifted through the new options this fall, I can recommend three new shows worth watching: FOX’s NEW GIRL (Tuesdays 8 PM), FOX’s THE X FACTOR (Wednesdays and Thursdays 7 PM), and SHOWTIME’s HOMELAND (Sundays 9 PM).

In the 19 months of hype FOX did for THE X FACTOR, Simon Cowell, creator and head judge, told us the show would be different from American Idol, but never really specified the ways in which they would differ. Fast forward to the premiere, where auditions happened in front of live arena crowds and the show immediately had a leg-up on Idol in my eyes. The three other judges besides Cowell are L.A. Reid, a big-name Sony record producer that has helped propel the music careers of Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Kanye West among others, Nicole Scherzinger, a member of the “Pussycat Dolls”, and Paula Abdul, Simon’s buddy from Idol and a performer and dancer in her own right. I love that the only age limit on the show is contestants must be 12 or older. Groups are also allowed.

So far throughout the auditions, the crowd really has an impact on the proceedings. A contestant needs three judges to vote “yes” to get put through to the Boot Camp round. One girl came out and sang a passionate version of “Impossible” a capella that wowed Simon and L.A., yet failed to win over the girls who thought she shifted in and out of key too many times. Simon was so enthralled that he reached out to the audience who gave the contestant a thunderous ovation, earning the girl another song to win over one of the girls. She made the most of it winning over Nicole and now moves onto the next stage where one of the four judges will mentor her. After the audition stage, contestants will be divided into four groups: Over 30, Men, Women, and Groups. Eventually the show will proceed to live competitions for votes of the American public. The winning contestant or group will earn a $5 million dollar recording contract, the largest prize in the history of reality television. If you loved watching the funny, opinionated Simon Cowell on AMERICAN IDOL and enjoy watching the growth of performers from no-names to legitimate stars, THE X FACTOR is much watch television this fall.

FOX has also managed to capitalize on its GLEE juggernaut by launching the instantly appealing new comedy NEW GIRL in the slot following it. Starring the charming/adorable Zooey Deschanel as Jess, the show instantly has a lead that can sing, dance, and be outright hilarious whenever it is necessary. Jess gets away from her boyfriend in the pilot after she catches him cheating on her and ends up moving in with three bachelors due to them having an empty room and all three being won over by Jess’s personality. She is naïve, fun, and so innocent. The latest episode dealt with her having problems going back to her ex’s house to grab her television and other stuff she left there after she breaks the television in the apartment. Hillarity ensues when she cannot bring herself to stop the car in front of the guy’s house until she hears a sappy love song. A bickering argument then occurs causing the roommates to have to get involved to protect their new friend and save the television. The roommates’ characters need to be fleshed out a bit more, but Deschanel’s presence and likeability make it hard to ever get annoyed.  This is one of the breakout hits of the season as FOX has already given the show a full-season order. If you like your comedy with some heart at the center or just love Deschanel, get on board with NEW GIRL.

Last but certainly not least is the best new drama of the season in Homeland, a delicious thriller about a rescued Al-Qaeda prisoner who was held in captivity for 8 years and the CIA analyst who has good reason to think the returned marine may be planning a terrorist attack on the United States. Damian Lewis of Band of Brothers fame plays the rescued marine prisoner Nick Brody, returning to two kids that barely know him, a house that has cameras all over it unbeknownst to him, and a wife that was sleeping with a fellow marine until receiving the news that her husband was alive. Lewis is sensational in the role, and shows the various dimensions of Brody’s personality in realistic fashion. Imprisonment has made him quiet and reserved, but a vicious side lurks underneath with flashes of it being shown in the closing moments of the pilot.

Claire Danes plays CIA analyst Carrie Mathison, a woman convinced that Brody is hiding something and that also might be unstable herself. Danes electrifies in the role stopping at nothing in pursuit of the truth. There are demons in her closet and an incredible pattern she recognizes in Brody’s public appearances in the pilot leads her to believe she is onto something in investigating this man. If taut, sharply-written, riveting cat and mouse drama is what you are looking for, start watching the best drama of the new season.

(COURTESY OF FX)

It is hard to believe that another school year is upon us. The Fall TV season is fast approaching and it is time to take a look at the best stuff currently airing. Three comedies leap out right away in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Wilfred, and Louie. In its eighth season, Larry David has removed all the filters on his character after finalizing a divorce with his wife Cheryl in the season premiere. Deemed “The Social Assassin,” David has been on a tirade against the minutia that happens in everyday human life that we would all like to question out loud but typically refrain from doing. Like his previous show Seinfeld, all episodes tend to wrap up in delicious fashion with the various subplots intertwining. The big arc this season involves Larry and his agent Jeff moving to New York for a few months. Guest stars have included Ricky Gervais and Rosie O’Donnell. Ratings are at an all-time high, meaning we can probably expect another season of this gem. What one has to appreciate about Larry David is that he is so loaded and only signs on for more seasons if he has a worthwhile idea. If you are a fan of comedy, this show will be worth your while.

By far one of the most bizarre shows to debut in years, Wilfred is an adaption of an Australian comedy dealing with a lawyer named Ryan on the verge of suicide that has a hot new neighbor move in. The neighbor has a dog named Wilfred that only Ryan can see in human form and talk to like a human. The two smoke weed, drink, and become great friends that help each other with the various problems they encounter. Because the dynamic is so unique, the show pulls a lot of humor from places no other shows can since Wilfred acts and thinks from a dog perspective. The great part about the show is that Jason Gann created the original and FX version of the show and stars in the title role. His charisma, delivery, and mannerisms are incredible. Combining Gann’s talents and antics with a more than game straight man Elijah Wood is a chemistry match made in heaven. Future episodes will delve into why Ryan can interact with the corrupt animal and whether he belongs in a loony bin. It airs Thursdays at 9 on FX and is available on demand.

Louis C.K. is on top of the world right now after his Emmy nomination for lead actor in his self-made comedy Louie along with being hailed as one of the finest stand-up comedians around the globe. In its second season, the show has such a confidence about it that any topic it deals with is captivating and engrossing whether the scenario is highly dramatic or hilarious. My favorite episode this season dealt with Louis’ love of masturbation and it being called out by a church girl on public television. She tries to turn him to her side by discussing in detail a fantasy life where Louie courted her for a long period of time until they fell in love and married. She described how wonderful that first night together would be. At the end of the episode, the scene shifts to Louis in the restroom doing what you would expect after being hit-on by a hot chick. A future episode will see Louis take an adventure to Afghanistan. Take a chance on one of the best shows on television as each 22 minute Louie episode delivers a carefully constructed story with outrageous humor and emotional resonance. Louie airs Thursdays at 9:30 on FX while season 1 is available on DVD.

On the drama side, the best ones airing right now are True Blood and Breaking Bad. In its 4th season, Alan Ball has continually upped the weirdness and fun on the ever evolving True Blood, a show that contains a staggering 19 regular characters and several different plots. It is a testament to the show’s creator Ball that each plot gets developed enough to make sure viewers care about each character. The main arc this season has evil witch Marnie casting a spell on the Eric Northman, a high-ranking vampire in Bon Temps, which causes him to lose his memory. He begins a romance with the newly single Sookie Stackhouse (the amazing Anna Paquin), much to the chagrin of her ex, the vampire king Bill Compton. All the witches have now united and plan to kill all the vampires ensuring a war of epic scale that has brought rivals Eric and Bill together to work on stopping the threat. The love triangle has been so developed over the seasons that there are vocal fan groups out there that support Team Bill and/or Team Eric. Where Sookie ends up this season is anyone’s guess, but a recent dream she had about both her suitors shows her to be in a state of flux with her true feelings. If you love supernatural characters, blood, action, terror, and sex, True Blood has it all in spades and is well-deserving of your time.

Breaking Bad is the best show on television. Three time Best Actor Emmy winner Bryan Cranston and last year’s Best Supporting Actor Winner Aaron Paul continue to deliver the goods as meth producers Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. White has moved back in with his family and wife Skylar now aids him in liquidating the money thorough the purchase of a car wash. White’s brother-in law continues the search for “Heisenburg,” Walter White’s alter ego after the news of a violent murder of a meth producer from the finale last season. Giancarlo Esposito comes across as terrifying and intimidating as Walt and Jesse’s boss Gus. The show has set an end date for next season and creator Vince Gilligan has stated that his mission was to take Walt from Mr. Chips to Scarface. That would lead me to believe a huge confrontation is upcoming between the increasingly displeased and underappreciated Walt and Gus before the season is out. Whether Hank will get any closer to learning about what Walt has been doing to provide for his family is the wildcard. If you like beautifully shot, superbly acted, and terrifically written episodic television, then watch this show.

The coming fall will bring us new seasons of favorites like Sons of Anarchy, Parks and Recreation, The Good Wife, and Boardwalk Empire. What of the new fall slate is worth your time will be a topic for next month.

(Courtesy of CBS)

May Entertainment Blender- Boston Rob

While good scripted fare is finally on an upswing with the arrival of Game of Thrones, The Killing, and the second season of Treme, reality television continues to dominate with the tremendous seasons of American Idol, Survivor: Redemption Island, and even Real World: Las Vegas that have been unleashed upon us this Spring. With this edition of the column, I want to take a look at Boston Rob’s overwhelming domination on Survivor this season.

Boston Rob Mariano is arguably the most popular Survivor contestant of all time. He first showed up in the third season but really developed his fame on Survivor: Allstars back in 2004. In that season he forged a bond with Amber Brkich and the two backstabbed their way to the final two using brilliant cutthroat strategy while staying loyal only to each other. The jury was so put off by the brilliance of Rob that they gave Amber the money. The newly formed couple had the last laugh, as Rob and Amber were engaged within months.

CBS broadcast their wedding and Amber and Rob even took part in The Amazing Race. Life was good, but Rob, an adventurer at heart, could not resist the game and took part in last year’s tremendous Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. Rob was labeled a villain and formed a great alliance. However, Russell Hantz, a short, smart, vindictive player orchestrated his ouster and Rob was cut out of the game fairly early. In the six years since he had played, the game had introduced hidden immunity idols and some strategy aspects had changed. The Hantz/Rob rivalry was so riveting that CBS brought both players back this season putting them on opposite tribes.

Russell was voted out first on his tribe due to people having watched how abhorrent a human he is on the previous few seasons. Rob, meanwhile, forged an alliance with three attractive young females, former NFL player and incredible athlete Grant, and the insane Philip, a man who claims to be a former federal agent. Not willing to be ousted like last time, Rob uncovered the hidden immunity idol without anyone on his tribe suspecting he found it. He pretended he had stomach issues while his alliance was on the beach, and managed to uncover the idol before anyone grew suspicious of his extended absence. It was hilariously funny watching him scramble and dig seemingly under every tree in the camp. To cover up his find, the guy has even chucked new clues to it that are sometimes received in a reward challenge into a volcano. He has such blind loyalty from his tribe mates that no matter how conflicted some of them may be, they listen when he decides who they are taking out.

One of the more controversial ousters of this season was when Matt and Andrea forged a bond. Matt was originally part of Rob’s alliance, but as soon as he sniffed a forming couple, Rob orchestrated his ouster to Redemption Island, a place where ousted contestants have a right to re-enter the game. Matt went on to win 6 straight duels to earn his way back in the game and was promptly voted right out and sent back to Redemption Island. Moral of this story is that if you break Rob’s trust, you are toast. At the merge, Rob’s tribe had a 6-5 advantage in people and he made it his personal mission to segregate the two groups as much as possible. He built a separate shelter for his tribe, kept their food away from the other group’s food, prevented his tribe from eating fish that the others caught that he thought might be contaminated, and installed a buddy system so that no member was alone for the picking by the weaker tribe. The man is dictating everything, which is stunning since all these contestants have had a chance to watch him play.

Rob had a huge target on his back and his managed to not only survive, but be the dominant force throughout. He has single-handedly kept a certifiably insane Philip in the game, a man his alliance despises so that when push comes to shove and he faces the jury in the final three, he can have Philip with him, who will not gobble up any of his votes for the win. The only risk for Rob at this point seems to be Matt getting back in the game and going on an Immunity run to the final three. He would definitely gain some sympathy for lasting so long alone on Redemption Island and re-entering the game two different times after a Rob-initiated ouster. The three women are all pawns and Rob will most likely bring Natalie with him to the finale. She has done nothing to claim she should win though as being a blind follower is not enough. Grant might be an obstacle but Rob will take him out once they eliminate the final two members of the other tribe.

This season has been such a treat for Survivor fans with one of its greatest players doing a victory lap in such riveting fashion by literally throwing a perfect game. He has learned so much from last year’s ouster to the point where he has a PHD in Survivor. His charisma, intelligence, leadership skill, puzzle solving abilities and manipulative techniques have been the driving forces behind this year’s domination. It will almost be a shame should Rob stumble and not win. Luckily for fans, he is almost guarantied a spot in the Sunday May 15^th finale and has already signed on to host a new reality show for the History Channel, where he will travel the world using as many different modes of transportation as is possible. Survivor, still alive and providing gobs of entertainment value 11 years later, airs Wednesdays at 7 P.M. on CBS.