BlogHer - Pop Culture - Comments

Carol Hannah!

Lisse — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:56:10 -0600

I was rooting for her most of the way through, because she seemed the most consistent and the most likable and real. Irina was clearly talented, but the arrogance got in the way of wanting her to win. Just a little too much mean girl.

That said, I understand why Irina won. It may have been monochromatic and matrix-like, but the POV and the detail of each piece and the thought put into accessories, put her on top.

I was hoping someone here could explain the Britsh woman's Flinstonian hairdo, but alas, no one else seems to get it either.

- Lisse

@ Home in the World: International Adoption and Other Travels

So the Pollyanna in me...

Jory Des Jardins — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:54:38 -0600

...really wanted to see Carol Hanna win because she wasn't so arrogant. Irina had these moments of narcissism and was critical of people like Gordana who ended up helping her kick some butt at the end. I have a similar issue with the brats on Top Chef--would you eat at their restaurant? Yes. But you don't want them to win on principle.

Jory Des Jardins writes on business and career topics at BlogHer, and on her personal blog Pause

Ho Ho Hum...

Mata H — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:05:32 -0600

I agree that this season has been such a snoozer. Not only did very few designers think outside the box, I'm not sure many even found the box. I think the producers maxxed out on the Hollywood exposure and thought that dragging in stars would make up for less creative challenges. Plus, Nina and Michael being absent so much did not help. I'll start watching next season, but I may not stay.

And what was that flippy hair sausage thing on the judge's head??

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Lifetime let us down

dcarnes — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:43:04 -0600

I agree with you that this was the weakest finale in a long time. Where was the drama, the catfights, the tension? I suppose Irina should have won, but really, an entire collection in black. I wanted Carol Hannah to win, maybe because she seemed so home grown, no real schooling to hone her skills, at least that's what she led us to believe. Overall, it was a real sleeper.

The most drama seemed to be when Tim got his hair in a ruffle over the models not being ready. And the greatest fashion don't was the that updo thing on the British woman's head. I can't believe she put herself on TV looking like that. But even then, it wasn't enough.

I really think Lifetime needs to step it up next season. Throw in some bizarre contestants, or at least one that really doesn't play well with others. I love this show, and I really want to keep loving it. Lifetime, don't let us down.

Debra C.

http://noerasers.com

Totally dull season

DebbieB — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:04:02 -0600

I'm not big on reality shows. This one, American Idol (which is kind of tiresome at this point) and So You think You Can Dance (which I may never tire of) are the three I watch (3 too many according to my husband). In any case, this one may just fall off my TV viewing next time around. It was painfully dull this season. I don't know how Lifetime took a fun, creative, exciting show and turned it into a dull, sleepy hour of TV. Bring back the clothes made from a romp at the produce market! I may give season 7 a chance but they really need to spice things up.

Makes sense that Irina won but that doesn't make it good TV.

Teachers’ Campaign for Oprah’s Final Book Club Selection

EarnanAGradeToday — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:02:44 -0600

Sharon Rose Sugar is the the author of the “The Silent Crisis Destroying America’s Brightest Minds”that was chosen as the “Book of the Month” by the Alma Public Library in Wisconsin. She understands the importance of Oprah’s gratitude journal. Educators have to develop the
mind, body, and spirit of a child.

This book encapsulates Oprah’s vision of a world ruled by spiritual maturity. This is why Oprah should choose the “Book of the Century”as her final book club selection. It is a befitting choice that recognizes Oprah’s core values and central mission of her life, and her devotion to education and world peace.

She cried, I cried harder...

womenonthefence — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:13:06 -0600

It was a classic moment. My hubby and I away for the weekend. It was 4:51PM yesterday (we get Oprah at 4PM EST), and in he walks. He shouts, "What's wrong???" I am hysterically bawling my eyes out. The minute Oprah lost it, I lost it even worse! lol!

She is a huge inspiration to many, and I find it amazing how she keeps things fresh day after day, for all these years. Kudos to her.

Oprah, you'll be missed. I'll be tuning into OWN!!

Erica Diamond

www.WomenOnTheFence.com

Very Good Point

Megan Smith — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:59 -0600

Hi Paula,

You make a very good point. The number was supposed to have been choreographed by someone who doesn't use a wheelchair so it would make sense if it didn't look very authentic.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

Twitter:@MeganSmith

Listening to Sapphire's book in iTunes

Bailey Alexander — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:44:52 -0600

I'm spending a couple of months aboard our saiboat in northern Italy so I decided to buy the book, turn out all the lights and let her words just wash over me for hours. It was intense but at the end, I was surprised by how much the other students' stories moved me, that was a clever, effective device. Allowing them to compare their pain, own their own story, move on independently.

I sat on a non-profit board in Seattle to help eliminate domestic violence. The issue is everywhere, I've heard it expressed in various languages in several countries, over the fence, walking by an apartment, in different modes of conflict and danger.

I certainly don't equate incest and rape with a color, community, let alone a country. Look at what we do every time we start a war, the first ones to suffer are the children that are raped.

This novel was something else though wasn't it, centered and more effective maybe because the community was known rather than any city, usa.

It was a brilliant use of language, really, in listening to Precious embrace the world thru gradual understanding of a language.

Prior to learning French and Italian, I lived in Rome and Paris so I was illiterate by choice, feeling vulnerable, even if only on the most superficial level, but it was valid. Speaking from somone that understands the power of her own language, the ability to control it, manipulate it, own it, I'm empathetic at the very least, on that level.

I'm not sure that anyone other than a performance poet like Sapphire could have told the story in such an effective manner, with that motive and that result. But I'm so grateful Sapphire went so dark and stayed so honest, if only so the light at the end of the tunnel could feel that much more worth the trouble of traveling towards......

Another related post

Virginia DeBolt — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:38:00 -0600

from BlogHer CE Alanna Kellogg is about The Pioneer Woman, but it is essentially the same story of achieving success in a social media world: Love Affair of the Decade: A Cowboy, A Blogger, and a Community.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology CE | Web Teacher | First 50 Words

It does indeed relate

Virginia DeBolt — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:33:26 -0600

This quote from you being an example:

But, there was no Will and Grace, no L Word and certainly no Kevin and Scotty trying to find a surrogate mother and egg donor for their soon-to-be baby on “Brothers and Sisters.” You may take these characters and television shows for granted, perhaps not even choose to tune in, but at least they are represented in popular culture today.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology CE | Web Teacher | First 50 Words

Please see my Blog Post

womenonthefence — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:11:36 -0600

Please see my Blog Post today. I think you may enjoy it! it relates to your topic.

Happy Hump Day!

;)

Erica Diamond

http://womenonthefence.com/blog/?p=1516

Loved the episode overall

paulag01 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:24:30 -0600

Love your post Megan... I have been watching the show all season (my mother harassed me since day one to make sure I watched it since I watch so little tv...and I'm glad she did). I think the Wheelchair Dancer comments are very telling. Yet... if you think of the choreographed number, truly on the show they ARE all people who don't spend time in a wheelchair, other than Arty. So the fact that Will (non-wheelchair as well) would choreograph something not as intimately connected person to chair as someone who is in one all the time, does make sense in the story line. That said - it might not be perfect but is the first time I've seen this sort of widespread & genuine hearted treatment of the topic.

Paula Gregorowicz
The Paula G Company
http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

Learn 5 Steps to Move from Fear to Freedom (free)

That Didn't Bother Me

Megan Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:47:10 -0600

Hi Jory,

The wheelchair number didn't bother me because it was in the context of Will trying to bring the glee kids together--which is something he does every week in some way, shape or form.

But at the same time, I'm approaching the whole thing as someone who doesn't know a lot about people who use wheelchairs. That's one reason I found Wheelchair Dancer's comments so enlightening.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

My Review Blog: Meg's Rad Reviews

Twitter:@MeganSmith

A Good Lesson

Megan Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:39:49 -0600

I agree that putting the other kids in wheelchairs to see what it was like for Artie was a good message to send. Everyone can use a bit of putting themselves in the other person's shoes.

And don't get me started on "Defying Gravity." I think I'm one of about five people in the whole country who did not like "Wicked." But that's a whole other post!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

My Personal Entertainment Blog: Megan's Minute

My Review Blog: Meg's Rad Reviews

Twitter:@MeganSmith