I Told You So and Other Random Thoughts

* Back in August I picked Hung to win Top Chef and now two months later I’m happy to say I was right. Last night all three contestants prepared meals that any of us would be lucky to enjoy but Hung finally was able to bring more of his personality into the food. Dale really surprised me the last couple of weeks and I found myself pulling for him. His lamb dish sounded amazing and on paper his lobster dish should have worked. Casey, who had quickly become the popular pick to win, completely fell apart and blamed everything from altitude to baby leeks for her downfall.

* Please tell me you saw Pushing Daisies last night. Holy crap is that a show! From its pop art colors to its stunning cinematography the show looks like a polished Tim Burton film. Like those films the bright vibrant colors counter balance the dark, dark tone of the story. Pie maker/resurrector of the dead, Ned is one of the most unique fictional characters to come along in any medium in years. He doesn’t seem to question nor fully understand the nature of his “gift”, yet he has managed to craft a successful yet lonely life living above The Pie Hole (the name of his business which alone makes this show worth watching). Anyway please tell me you took my advice and watched it because this is one of those “too smart for TV” shows which already has me worried about its network longevity.

* I’ve kept my mouth shut on the latest Britney drama this week and with good reason. The woman lost custody of her kids and no matter what you think of her as a person or a mother it is still a sad event and one that does not deserve to be slathered in cynicism as its dragged through the headlines.

* Bionic Woman improved mightily in its second episode last night. Gay basher Isaiah Washington is an interesting addition to the cast and the lead character was actually given more…character.

* Took a leap of faith and pre-ordered the upcoming Jay Z album American Gangster. Last year I got burned when I did the same with his “comeback” album Kingdom Come but I’m keeping the faith based on the concept of this album. While not a straight soundtrack, the album is a companion piece to Ridley Scott’s new film of the same name staring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. The first track Blue Magic is classic Jay as he meanders from beat to beat telling his tales from the street.