Episode 17.10
March 10

Chico: Hi, I'm Chico Alexander... if you haven't checked your clocks yet... go do it now..
Jason: Am I late again?
Chico: Yep.
Jason: Sorry guys.
Chico: It's cool, it's cool.
Gordon: (checking Clock). Ah. There's a Whammy with a hammer, and it's hitting the hour hand down a peg. Daylight Savings time again, eh?
Chico: Yep.
Jason: That means baseball...warmer weather and more time to watch crappy shows.
Chico: We'll get to crappy shows in a moment, but right now... from Somewhere in America... the Daylight Savings edition of WLTI... is... on! Seven days to cover and one less hour to do it. Boo.
Jason: We can do it...we have skills.
Gordon: And we don't even see the light of day when its done, so why should this matter to us? :P
Chico: ... this is true. Welcome to the big show, I'm Chico. That's Gordon Pepper...
Gordon: Hi
Chico: Also with Jason Block the Cuckoo Clock...
Jason: Hi there….AHHH-CHOOOO!
Chico: …who's still sick... Send more soup.
Gordon: And we start with me being annoyed - at both of you
Chico: What did we do THIS time?
Jason: Yeah what did we do?
Gordon: Let's do a little rewind - to 2 weeks ago, to be exact

---
Chico: Primetime rules state that anything less than $1000 will win BOTH showcases. Adam's bid is $83,475. Actual price: $84,355. Adam wins both showcases AND $1 million.
Jason: Misses by 880...confetti explosions and all that.
Chico: No doubt a historic moment on TPIR... which means that Gordon has a problem with it. :-)
Jason: So what's the problem G?
Gordon: So you're telling me that you have to be within $250 to win both showcases, but within $1,000 for a million?
Jason: And your point?
Gordon: That is my point. It reeked of 'Lets give away a million to spike up ratings'
Jason: No it didn't. Good grief. That was a perfect number.
Gordon: What made Millionaire and what makes Deal or No Deal compelling is that it was actually DIFFICULT to win.
Jason: To get within a grand is difficult...with those prizes?
Chico: It's actually harder when you take into account that primetime prices are higher.
Gordon: There's been a number of times people have come within $1,000. Even on the big money TPIR shows. That's rare, yes. Not everyone does it. But it's certainly not million dollar level hard. $100,000? Sure. 1 Mil? no.
Gordon: He wins $1,000,000~. There. Happy?
Chico: Fine. Pastry *. Tilde! Tilde! Tilde!
Jason: Ole!
Gordon: I invoke the TILDE!
---

Jason: Ok...did it happen again?
Chico: Yep.
Jason: What was the differential?
Chico: $489.
Gordon: Ahem. To get within $1,000 IS NOT THAT HARD. There's NO WAY it should have been worth a million to get within $1,000. Never.
Jason: If it was $500 would you be as upset?
Gordon: Yes. Yes I would. I can live with $250. But there's no way that the rules should be easier in the Prime Time version than in the regular version.
Jason: I still say that isn't easy.
Gordon: Within $250 in daytime - Both Showcases. Within $1,000 in primetime - A Million? Am I missing something here?
Chico: I think all things considered, the $1000 is doable.
Gordon: And that's the problem. It's too doable, It should be hard to do. Within $1,000 - or even $500 - is not million dollar level hard.
Chico: I mean, when was the last time that the daytime show gave out two Lincolns? In a showcase? And those things... they're not cheap
Gordon: But they didn't change the gameplay to do it. Its not like they said, 'Ok, here's the Range Game. Instead of $150, Come within $500 and we'll give you a Lincoln Towncar'.
Jason: What was the showcase that won it please?
Chico: First of all, I should tell you that the show itself  was a skunk. The fact that someone won the million is the only redeeming thing about the show this week. The Showcase that won it... Bridal gown with two bridesmaids dresses... Diamond wedding ring... Vacation in Paris... and a Chrysler 300.
Jason: 55000
Chico: Gordon?
Gordon: 69,069
Jason: Silly :-)
Gordon: Since I think the idea of coming within $1,000 sucks.
Chico: Both of you suck. It was $42,989.
Gordon: Do we win a bumper of the car?
Chico: No.
Jason: He said $42,500. What was the other showcase he won?
Chico: The other Showcase Michael won... two tickets to Vegas, two Segways, and two Lincolns.
Jason: Town Cars?
Chico: MKZs. So Michael won that... AND a Global VR Global Arcade Classics game... AND of course, $1 million.
Gordon: So what's his final total~?
Jason: $1,127,062
Chico: Okay, now I can get to the Million Dollar Game... It was Plinko. The object was something akin to Plinko plus Superball!!. Get three $20,000 chips... and you'll be given... a golden Plinko chip... and I don't know about you... but that's bling right there.
Gordon: Nice blingy
Chico: Unfortunately, the player could not make it happen.
Jason: We were wondering how Plinko could do it. Very nicely done.
Chico: Four chips.. not one of them could find the center slot. And it was only the beginning of our woes. Any Number for a Jeep Wrangler X... Lost. Race Game... LOST. Lucky Seven for a Chrysler Sebring Convertible... LOST. It's in the Bag... JJ Abrams/ABC tome, four letters...
Gordon: I'm guessing Lost?
Chico: Yep. And finally, Squeeze Play for a pair of motorcycles... Skunked. It was Skunked for 58 minutes and then BAM. No. I'm just thinking that this was the Dob's revenge for the Million being won on the first show.
Gordon: So to redeem themselves, they had to give out a million dollars the cheese Chekezie way?
Jason: And I still think it wasn't cheesy. And nothing can change my mind on this one.
Chico: Congrats to Michael on the million dollar win.
Jason: Agreed.
Gordon: It was Chester Cheetah Cheesy.
Chico: Now if you want cheesy, let's go to Thursday night. Idol unleashes their top 12. We started with "the most talented top 24" ever... now we're down to a top 12 that I can do with or without four of them... what the hell?
Gordon: It's funny. Every year we say that it should be 8 women and 4 men. This year, I could have been happy with 7 men and 5 women.
Jason: Who are the four you can live without?
Chico: The four I can live with or without... Chekezie, Amanda, Kristy, and Syesha... Three women... one man.
Jason: Syesha? are you crazy? She is #2 on my top 12.
Chico: Yeah, I'm crazy. Crazy like a motherbloody fox.
Gordon: Chico is crazy. Syesha is a powerhouse singer.
Chico: She's becoming the predictable one. Simon even said so. This was in my mind before he went there, so .. yeah.
Gordon: I wont disagree with that. But if you've noticed, you could say the same thing with 10 of them.
Chico: I'm hoping that we're going to see something different in the theme rounds.
Gordon: Almost all of them will need to step up their game. These performances that we have seen are nice, but with the exception of David Archuleta,  Brooke White, David Cook and Jason Castro, none of the others have had an Idol-winning performance.
Jason: This week: Lennon-McCartney Songbook.
Chico: As we've found in the past... the worst thing you can be in the final rounds is predictable and forgettable.
Jason: How did you like Brooke White - Love is A Battlefield?
Chico: See, THAT was a risk that paid off.
Gordon: Brooke White, David Cook and Jason Castro all took risks that paid off. Jason Castro especially, because he got zero screen time and he's in the Top 12.
Jason: Even though I didn't like two of the three...they worked.
Chico: I'm still worried about David Cook. I mean, take away his guitar, and what do you have?
Gordon: And you should be worried. Big Board please?
Chico: Already there.

Gordon: The Subject: Genre Matter. Let's look at what we got this year and some early forecasts.
Jason: Ok.
Gordon: We sort of did this last week, but let's get down to the nitty gritty.
Chico: Starting with the R&B... Ramiele, Chikezie, Syesha
Gordon: You consider Ramiele R&B?
Chico: Oh yeah.
Gordon: Ok then. Rock: Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, David Cook, Amanda Overmyer. Country: Brooke White, Kristy Lee Cook
Chico: Since when was Brooke White a country singer?
Jason: Pop, Archuleta, Hernandez, Castro
Gordon: So there's our groupings. The 3 in R&B is the fewest since Idol started and only 2 African American singers also ties for low. There's never been only one African American female in the Top 12 until this year.
Chico: I blame America.
Gordon: I blame Asia'h for mailing it in for 2 straight weeks.
Chico: You mean "calling it in"?
Jason: Pretty much.
Gordon: Singing it in. After that crash and burn in the final spot 2 weeks ago, she had to make a move last week. She didn't, and now she's moved off the stage. So I think that the three of them are safe for now.
Chico: Back to the genres. How do these groupings help our singers?
Jason: Well, as you can see...too many rock people.
Gordon: R & B helps them out because America has always voted the R & B singers up high. What one genre have we never seen a winner in yet?
Chico: Rock.
Gordon: Bingo.
Chico: Though one can argue the Daughtry effect, but anyway.. The rock audience doesn't see AI as legitimate.
Gordon: Clarkson - Pop. R&B - Studdard, Barrino, Sparks. Country - Underwood. Bluegrass - Hicks. Rock - El Zippo.
Chico: Hence, no strong rock contingent.
Gordon: And now you have 4 rockers in the Top 12? Something has to give, and the something will be Rock. And that's why if you're a fan of David Cook and Amanda Overmyer, you need to be concerned. If you're a David Hernandez fan, you will need to vote as well. The Stripper back story is not going to help get you fans.
Chico: So you still think of Michael Johns as top of the heap there, then?
Jason: Him and Smithson yes.
Gordon: Out of default, yes. I think David Cook can make a run at it though.
Chico: Dunno. There's going to come a week where he's going to have to let Les Paul go... and then watch what happens.
Gordon: I think Carly and Amanda are fodder, waiting to be booted as of right now.
Jason: Carly Smithson? Really?
Gordon: America will not vote for an Irish singer to win this.
Jason: No, but I don't think she will booted off for at least 3 weeks. She will be on the tour.
Gordon: and Michael will not win either. It will not surprise me to see David Cook be the last rocker left.
Jason: Don't see it.
Gordon: I think that Amanda and Chikezie are in the greatest danger of not making the tour
Chico: They're not going to make it. Amanda saved herself last week after a disastrous week prior.
Gordon: I think Carly may have a major problem though if Amanda drills her into the floor this week.
Chico: People who do that rarely if ever put on two raves in a row.
Jason: Unless Amanda Overmeyer blows everyone away...and everyone else crashes. She's gone.
Chico: Chikezie... just the opposite. He needs to perform this week AND keep performing if he wants to make the tour. Everyone else...pretty much safe FOR NOW.
Gordon: If Amanda has another great performance, Carly may have issues. her vote base will go to Amanda, and She won't sing something bad to make people think she is in danger. As we've said forgettable is worse than bad.
Jason: Forgettable is the biggest mistake.
Chico: Oh yeah.
Gordon: This has been a very good Top 12 this year - which means that the margin for error is much less than in previous years.
Chico: Oh yeah. So there you have it... the top 12. One of them will be a star in 11 weeks... God help them.
Jason: This is a very good class over all - I see 5-6 potential winners here.
Chico: Sounds about right.
Gordon: You could have that. That's what makes it fun
Jason: Quick question before we leave.
Chico: Shoot.
Jason: Do you think we see McCartney this week?
Chico: I hope so.
Jason: That would be huge.
Chico: I think the suits are still holding out the big surprises.
Gordon: What if the theme was Big Brother soundtrack night?
Jason: Not enough material.
Chico: We'd be hearing "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks all night.
Jason: "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John
Gordon: What about "Alone" By Heart? Because the couples are now singles.
Chico: Yeah.
Jason: Guess that strategy didn't pan out, eh, CBS?
Gordon: and Allison, the player who has played too much, is sent packing.
Chico: The twist this year is "Til Death Do Us Part"... Well, thinking that no one is watching anyway... Death came this week.
Gordon: And he's not happy. Nor would I be, if my name was associated with a show that only around 6 million people are watching.
Jason: Death has an Ego.
Gordon: And to make it worse, CBS is now allowing America to vote someone back into the house.
Chico: And he sounds like Adam Carolla. The question I have... was the split planned or not?
Gordon: It was definitely planned out. There was no way that you were going to have a 7 week Big Brother.
Jason: Oh joy...oh melodious rapture.
Gordon: Based on the ratings, you would think that they would want to keep it at couples.
Chico: Yeah.
Gordon: By the way, the records of people who are allowed back into the Big Brother House...not good. Usually booted out right when then get back in.
Jason: Can I vote a turnip in?
Chico: I'll allow a turnip.
Gordon: Sure could. Allison is one of the eligible ones.
Chico: Let's see how long she lasts. I'm guessing a week.
Gordon: Not very long, if you ask the Kaysar fan club
Jason: Right.
Chico: Unfortunately... we still wouldn't care that much.
Gordon: Christian Sarino is also out of Project Runway - but that's because the show is over and he is the winner.
Chico: Yay!
Jason: Youngest winner at 21? Correct?
Chico: Correct.
Jason: And no draping, lol. I have to love how they do the finals. They show all the collections so no one has an unfair advantage.
Gordon: He is the youngest winner of an occupational reality show on Bravo TV (he's only 21) and though he is over the top, his stuff on fashion week blew away everyone else's. wardrobes
Jason: Fashion Week here in NY is huge. In Spring and Fall. This is A-List stuff.
Chico: So you all approve of our newest champion?
Jason: I saw the pics of his stuff. Very nice.
Gordon: I do. Best choice they could have made.
Chico: Where does he rank in terms of Runway winners?
Gordon: I'd put him second, behind Jay of Season 1. And the producers made a good choice when they allowed David Whitely to play on Crosswords.
Jason: Why Gordon?
Chico: I'm guessing it has something to do with Game Show Congress.. this summer in SoCal =p
Gordon: You think? David Whitely is, as we'd like to say, one of us. He not only has been at the Game Show Congress a number of times, but he's also won the 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' Attraction at Disneyland a number of times.
Chico: And he's a cool guy. You even said so.
Gordon: And he's a cool. guy. He wins over $13,000 and a trip to San Francisco on the show. Pretty impressive, considering that this was during the first stages of the show, when they only give out $2,000 in the bonus game.
Chico: Yeah.
Jason: Wow.
Chico: He had his hands full that day, too. I mean, winning did not come easy.
Gordon: No, it didn't
Chico: How many Crosswords players do you know have over $1000 at the end of round 1?
Gordon: Not many. He had to survive a few spoils along the way
Chico: Namely at the hands of Lori Schroder, who had something like $1450 going into the spoiler intros. David spoiled her and never looked back... okay, he looked back a couple of times, but that was IT.
Jason: Damn :-)
Chico: Round three turned out to be the David round. All David, all the time. He himself bet $3500 on this clue...

$3500, three letters... Carl Reiner's Kid.

Jason: ROB.
Chico: That's right.
Gordon: Yep. Great job from David.
Chico: And in my opinion... the win was VERY much deserved.
Jason: Very very good stuff.
Chico: that's how you play the game. Go big.
Jason: Or Go Home.
Gordon: Just like people in Survivor do - especially after a Tribal switch
Chico: We've had fans... and we've had faves... Now we have them intermingling together. And, at times... getting injured together.
Jason: Ah....the merge.
Chico: No. The switch.
Jason: What happened?
Chico: A Tribal Switch and an injury report. A little background info, though... The tribes were divided into pairs and sent into a catch-me-if-you-can course. In total, we had... One fat lip... One tweaked knee... A puncture wound... and a blow to the head.
Jason: And that was all to Johnny Fairplay after he hid in the jungle :-)
Gordon: Boot to the head!
Chico: And for the puncture wound to the knee... which happened to Penner, by the way... they had to call in medical. He's alright, though. He lives to play on... and save his tribe from tribal. Big Joel was given his walking papers, 6-2. Chet, with two votes against him, lives to Danny Noriega it up another day.
Gordon: Here was Joe's massive problem - he wanted to get rid of the weak. However, the weak, knowing this, banded up to get rid of him first.
Chico: Oh yeah. It's a simple numbers game. They have more.
Gordon: Its tough when the merge happens and you're stuck with people you're targeting to get rid of.
Jason: I thought he would be on there a lot later than he would be. He was a bull
Chico: Oh yeah.
Gordon: And the problem was that the dumb bull was surrounded by matadors.
Chico: But that's what happens when you have one or two strong people and two or four weaklings... who are strong of will. Like, "If we get rid of him now, we won't have to face him when it comes to the individual challenges." Very smart play. And in the end, may the better player win.
Gordon: They aren't stupid - and neither are the hamsters, who are getting along with the new BrainVision crew. Awww, Fluffy gave Mike and Darnell a spinning wheel in a show of good faith.
Jason: I guess the healing is starting slow. But that's nice.
Chico: At least it's starting. Speaking of starting... Gordon... Push the button!
Gordon: (Pushes button) Roll hat Beautiful Brain Footage

(Doug: Live, local, and latebreaking... From the four corners of the globe to your frontal lobe, this is WLTI Brainvision News, and now here's Gordon Pepper, Chico Alexander, and the award-winning Brainvision News Team)

Chico: Thanks, Doug. First up, Gordon?
Gordon: First up - got that date book handy?
Chico: Ya.

We see the return of some old favorites this week - Beauty and the Geek 5 on March 11th, and Top Chef 4 on March 12th.

Chico: Can't wait and can't wait.
Jason: This is Beauty v. Geek this time.
Chico: Actually, can't wait and can't see.
Jason: And we are in Chicago for Top Chef 4.
Chico: I'm having reservations about the B. Vs. G. theme. I thought that the show was all about dispelling that divide.
Jason: Could be Jump the Shark time.
Chico: Could be. I'm not happy about that change. And if I'm not happy... NO ONE's happy =p
Gordon: You actually have a gay geek this time around, so unless you have a lesbian beauty, the thought of hooking up isn't going to fly very well.
Chico: I'm just thinking that it's going to be Average Joe all over again. Only without the dating aspect. But then again, I love being proven wrong. So CW... prove me wrong.
Gordon: I happen to agree with both of you, It seems like they are running out of both ideas and gas. And the CW's ratings as a whole going down to begin with...well, let's just say that this doesn't help.
Jason: Well the last few reality shows have tanked...except ANTM.
Chico: Something we don't have a problem with on Top Chef. I wish I could have a taste of Chicago, but oh well... I do have a lot of baseball bats, though... if you're a Cubs fan.
Jason: (hands you the bat)
Chico: I'm going to need two bats. I have two stories...

FremantleMedia, in its never-ending battle to revive Match Game... has a foothold thanks to TBS.

Chico: The "very funny" network has ordered a pilot for late night.
Jason: I have hopes...but reservations too.
Chico: We all have hopes and reservations after the 1998 version
Gordon: I'm scurred.
Jason: Me too Gordon. Me too. I want to hear the answers...not have them bleeped.
Chico: All I'm saying is... the best of Match Game is on DVD... and it reruns constantly on GSN... Before you go reviving stuff... do your research.
Jason: Agreed.
Chico: Don't give it all up at once. Second story...

Coming from the "Beating a Dead Horse" department.. ABC has commissioned a reality project based on "High School Musical".

Gordon: U.G.H.
Jason: Yeah. My thoughts.
Chico: The show will seek talented high schoolers... who'll get to hone their skills at a conservatory. If I may quote Stewie Griffin.. "I remember seeing something vaguely similar to this before which leads me to believe... that this will not work."
Gordon: Fame/The One/Grease anyone?
Jason: Yup.
Chico: Yeah. So you see where we're going with this.
Gordon: Originality is not a bad thing Fortunately, my next piece of news is original. Unfortunately, it's...

Are You Smarter Than...Omarosa's publicist, who advertises that Omarosa will be on the Today Show on Friday.

Jason: When did she do this, Gordon?
Gordon: That's all well and good, except who usually shows up on The Today show on Fridays?
Chico: Who?
Gordon: The 'Fired' people form the Apprentice the night before.
Chico: Whoops.
Jason: Whoops indeed. And she did get fired on Thursday.
Chico: Anything for attention, I supposed.
Gordon: So basically, Omarosa's publicist was telling the world that Omarosa would be fired - which is exactly what happened. Ironically, it was the exact same challenge (pricing art and selling it) that got her fired on Season 1.
Chico: yikes!
Jason: Holy smokes.
Gordon: And now, for the Haterade...

The Haterade goes to GSN, who yanks off all of the Lingo stuff from their website. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but all sings point to Lingo being cancelled after spending 6 seasons on the air.

Jason: Bad GSN. Is that how you treat your franchise player?
Chico: A rep from GSN has said that no new eps are planned this year... If that isn't telling..
Gordon: Boooo.
Chico: Boo-urns.
Jason: Booooo. (throws tomatoes)
Chico: You f(^_^)ed it up!
Jason: Come on GSN...bring it back. The fans want it. We want it. Don't be stupid.
Chico: Yeah. Meanwhile, let's get into games that are currently still loaded... This week, what happens when you mix the Feud with a virtual house.
Jason: What do you get?

iWin has launched the sixth installment of its Family Feud casual game, entitled "Family Feud Dream Home". Players will use their points to get items for their virtual "Dream Home".

Jason: Cute.
Chico: It's available at iwin.com.
Gordon: Anything available at mediaho.com?
Chico: This. *plays "Pimpin' All Over the World"* And there's a casting call.
Gordon: Lets hear it
Chico: 50 people are needed for a dancing game show pilot for TLC.
Gordon: oooh
Jason: Ok

We are looking for anybody and everybody between the ages of 21-49. You must be available on March 18th and 19th, 2008 for the shoot in Los Angeles.
http://www.realitywanted.com/call/2313-casting-for-new-game-show-think-you-can-dance

Gordon: And don't forget to all you model wannabe's...

America's Next Top Model is casting again. Go to www.cwtv.com for more info

Chico: And there's the matter of the Transatlantic Quiz
Gordon: MARCH 15th, people!!!!!
Chico: And another call for the "Real My Fair Lady"...

Taking party girls and turning them into high-class chicks. So if you know a party girl, you may want to direct them here...
http://www.realitywanted.com/call/2294-mtv-casting-for-the-ultimate-party-girls

Gordon: And now, for the hoes...

In this week's Hodometer, Bob Saget does comedy in Anaheim, Bill Anderson gets honored by UGA, Mario Lopez goes to Broadway to star in A Chorus Line, Danny Bonaduce gets another show called 'I Know My Kid's a Star', Naomi Judd gets to judge Can You Duet'?, Simon Cowell wants to do a film on Paul Potts, who won Britain's Got Talent last year...

Jason: That would be a great film to see.
Chico: Again, deservedly.
Jason: Although that 6 yr old who sang was unreal.

Bob Barker does animal radio, Mike Fleiss hoes The Bachelor 12, and David Hernandez is not concerned about his stripper past, You're deluded, David.

Gordon: But none of them are your hoes of the week.
Chico: Plural!
Gordon: 3. The hoes are Monty Hall, Peter Marshall and Bob Eubanks, all of which get a shot at GSN Live in the upcoming weeks.
Jason: Haven't caught it yet.
Gordon: Hall shows up on March 14th, Marshall on March 28 and Eubanks on April 3rd.
Chico: So Monty's coming next Friday. That'll be one to watch. Here's one to watch if you're going to China...
Gordon: Yes it will. And what can we watch around the world?

Singing Bee is heading to China.

Jason: Oh boy.
Chico: I'm hoping they'll treat it better than we did. Won't be hard. NBC really dropped the ball on that one.
Gordon: I would think not - but why not see it go to Japan?
Chico: I don't know. I honestly think it'd work better in Japan.
Gordon: I agree. Unless that have a show like that in Japan already, but that's where it should be going.
Chico: Hear that, Japan? Enough Hole in the Wall. Mama wants to sing!
Gordon:  And that's Brainvision. Shut it Down.

(shutting it down).

Chico: Okay, we didn't get enough time with the last You Love, so we're going to keep it up another week.
Jason: (flips switches)
Chico: The question...

Chico: Results in seven days... we promise. Meanwhile, coming up, there was a lot of premiere action these past weeks, and we're going to review each and every one of them. PLUS... punch lines for dummies. This is WLTI, geeking out like there's no tomorrow.
Gordon: Who's got the pocket protectors?
Jason: (hands them out)

(Brainvision is brought to you by WLTI Pictures release, "Talking to Myself: The Terry Fator Story." One man... three puppets... endless possibilities.)

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