Episode 24.2 - For the Class of 2010
June 14

Jason: Vegas baby! Vegas!
Chico: So I'm the singer, Gordon's the letter addict.. I guess that makes J the costumed crazy.
Gordon: He's got a great wig collection.
Jason: Of course I do.
Gordon: Fortunately, Jason doesn't have to use it. At least not this week.
Jason: Nope.
Chico: Welcome back, this is WLTI, where intelligent discourse goes to die.
Jason: That is NOT true.
Chico: No it isn't. But this is true. It's summertime. A lot of stuff launching. Some of it new. We watched it... multiple times. And are now prepared to give you... Maximum Strength Capsule Reviews. You know the deal by now. "A" means that if you don't watch it, the terrorists win. And "F" means... "You don't get to come back tomorrow. You don't even get a copy of our home game! You're a COMPLETE LOSER!"
Jason: Right.
Gordon: Si papi.
Chico: Start it up, G.
Gordon: Let's start with the obvious..

	LATE NIGHT LIARS - GSN
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	D	D+	D	D

Jason: I so wanted to like this.
Chico: GSN's new entry into the primetime wars of the 21st century. I WANTED to like it. I... tolerated it... THREE TIMES.
Gordon: Well, there were some things to like. The Good: Larry Miler is a good choice to helm the show.
Jason: He was ok.
Chico: Very good choice. He's just deadpan enough to work in this environment. And he keeps the game going.
Jason: Right. The concept: Two contestants have to pick out the liars from a series of adult puppets Shelley Oceans: a riff on Joan Rivers. William Mummy: a Paul Lynde clone...
Chico: Paris Hilton-like socialite Cashmere Ramada.
Jason: and Simon Cowell like Sir Sebastian Simian.
Chico: Basically, it's Balderdash with puppets.
Jason: And the weasel as announcer. The problem here was they were trying WAY too hard.
Chico: WAY WAY too hard. And again, not enough bang for all the hype surrounding it. Don't get me wrong, I love the comedy game... but I love it when it flows naturally.
Gordon: They could have done so much with everything here. They could have made this the Liar's Club. Instead, they put the comedy first. The problem was that it wasn't that funny. You could have easily had 4 rounds, a bonus round, quicker paced action and more funny.
Jason: Everything felt cliched and forced. And there was no real gameplay to speak of.
Chico: It's just spot the fake. Repeat twice. Bonus round. I mean, for the amount of time you spend on bad jokes, you could've fit another round or two, right?
Gordon: Right. What really pisses me off is the questions matter. It's lazy and uninspired. last time GSN had a comedy show, they had an all gay panel and it fell flatter than Stephanie McMahon's breast surgery.
Chico: Wow. That's flat.
Gordon: So what do we start with? What cities should have a pride festival and we start up with material that turned away GSN fans to begin with. Clearly, people didn't do their homework on this show.
Chico: Again, let it flow. Like the many drinks you claim to imbibe.
Jason: So my grade here: D.
Chico: I'm going to go D+
Gordon: I wanted to like it. Instead, it needs to go back to the shed. D.
Chico: This has been done before. And better.
Gordon: It has.
Chico: I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. Next...

	WORK OF ART: THE NEXT GREAT ARTIST - Bravo
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	C	C	C	C

Jason: Smell the Xerox Fumes? I do.
Gordon: I think the smell is coming from the acrylics.
Chico: Me too. Folks... Challenge, winner, elimination.... It's the new verse, chorus, verse. Basically, it's the Project Runway model applied to the art world.
Jason: Even with the journeyman expert from the art world.
Gordon: The Good; I'll give it credit. This is a closer clone to Project Runway than The Fashion Show.
Jason: It is an exact clone of Project Runway.
Chico: Word for word.
Jason: From the camera angles to the judging, to the production values
Chico: Even has the people behind Project Runway attached.
Jason: And Sarah Jessica Parker.
Gordon: And I'll say this. The hosts and judges are good.
Chico: they are.
Jason: They are.
Chico: Not faulting that. Just faulting... THE BAD: We've seen it done a ZILLION times before.
Gordon: The Bad: 0% creativity or originality whatsoever.
Jason: Right. Even the "one outrageous contestant" casting of Nao Bustamente.
Chico: I mean, you could replace a canvas or a lump of clay with a model and a piece of fabric, and you know what you'd get... Project Runway!
Jason: This is a right down the middle C for me. Nothing new, been done before.
Gordon: With no German accents.
Chico: Nothing new to the party whatsoever. C.
Gordon: C for me
Chico: Next?

	TOP SHOT - History
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	C+	C	C	C

Jason: Call this Survivor with Guns
Chico: More or less. Even has a castaway hosting.
Gordon: Colby Donaldson is Jeff Probst's son. Right down to the vocal inflections.
Jason: That was Colby Donaldson channeling Jeff Probst. Nothing original there either.
Chico: And you know what, it foregoes the usual drama and shenanigans for straight up gamesmanship.
Jason: Which I liked.
Chico: That's the good.
Jason: And the historical perspective of the guns used, a nice touch.
Chico: Very much so. And Colby as a host... not terrible.
Jason: Yeah he was.
Chico: Not bad for a newbie.
Gordon: I do like that we had less drama and more game.
Chico: And it fits with the overall timbre. Granted the overall timbre is.. Survivor with guns. It's well put together... Flows naturally...
Jason: Although there was too much reliance on the slo mo explosion shots.
Chico: It's on point... That's what happens when you get to... the BAD... the players are dull as dishwater.
Gordon: I don't mind as much. It's not about the players. It's about the game. But the bad: It's Survivor 101. Nothing new to this party.
Chico: The game is also as dull as dishwater.
Jason: Yeah. The hour felt LOOOOOONG.
Chico: Yep.
Jason: Pacing was way off.
Chico: The only thing that kept my awake were the numerous explosions.
Jason: My grade here again...C.
Chico: C sounds good. Call it a case of deja vu.
Gordon: C+. It was a case of deja vu, but I liked what they did with it. I'd watch another episode.



Chico: .... we have a graphic for everything, don't we
Gordon: we do
Jason: Didn't we see that before?
Gordon: Maybe. Next show?
Chico: Next show..

	SECOND DOSE THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR - Food
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	C-	C	NO GRADE	C

Jason: This is the only show I didn't see this week. I have it on DVR for review.
Chico: Food on Demand, dude. Seriously, over the years, it had its ups and downs, and this season... hopefully a reversal of fortune after the (somewhat surprising) success of Melissa D'arabian.
Gordon: So we get a '2 hour premiere'. Did it work for you?
Chico: Kindasorta. I mean, they're taking two hours to pull out a one hour show.
Jason: Thats all for ratings :-)
Chico: Yeah, but the end result is that the two hours just plod along. We're just plodding along here. The biggest change this season... we're in Los Angeles now.
Jason: Really? Oh wow.
Chico: Yeah, really.
Gordon: This should never have been a 2 hour show. Just way too long and plodding. At least in The Apprentice we got more footage. I wasn't convinced that this couldn't be condensed into 1 hour.
Chico: Agreed. So... Second Dose Review? A C... It's no better than we found it the first time.
Gordon: C- I wanted more for a 2 hour show. Didn't get it. Next one up:

	SECOND DOSE LAST COMIC STANDING - NBC
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	C-	D	D-	D

Jason: (shudder)
Chico: It's the show that refuses to die. Or rather, the show that refuses to die and stay dead.
Jason: Wow. Craig Robinson. Way Unfunny.
Chico: Craig Robinson... needs to study up on effective hosting. The comics... need to study up on how to be funny.
Gordon: That was the worst hosting job on LCS to date. That being said, I heart Rachel Feinstein. I have my own selfish reasons here. But go Rachel!
Chico: In so many words, Gordon?
Gordon: Nope :)
Chico: Fine. =p And if Rachel is reading this... Gordon IS single. :-) And a blast at parties.
Jason: The problem is, that the judges were funnier than most of the comics. And the comics were not amateurs.
Chico: Yeah, but the judges have experience in being funny. The comics... not so much.
Jason: Guy Torry?
Chico: Talk about the hardest room in America.
Jason: Come on. I know Guy Torry and I am not a stand up guy. This felt like Nepotism all over again.
Gordon: Yeah. I needed more funny. Unfortunately, we can't have Rachel be on for the whole 2 hours. C-.
Jason: Sorry, I was really not impressed D-. Most of it for Craig Robinson.
Chico: You know something. One of the judges, Natasha Leggero, has been on a game show or two (The 80s House comes to mind). She's HILARIOUS. She should've hosted this. D.
Jason: She doesn't have a show on NBC.
Chico: Neither does Guy Fieri. Point? =p
Jason: Oops, did my cynicism come out?
Chico: Just a little, maybe.
Jason: alright fine.
Chico: Last up...

	SECOND DOSE DANCE YOUR ASS OFF - Oxygen
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	B	B+	NO GRADE	B+

Chico: (Oxygen).
Jason: Wow. I forgot about that one. (bows head)
Chico: It's the same show, but it has a new host.... Mel B do it for you?
Gordon: She does, actually. I like her. Much more comfortable in front of the camera.
Chico: Oh yeah. And unlike the lady she replaced, she's actually hosted a show. Experience.... it's a good thing.
Gordon: And I actually think they improved on the original.
Chico: As do I.
Gordon: So this from me gets a solid B.
Chico: Larger season, larger room for character development. Important when you're rooting for everyone to succeed. B+
Gordon: Sure is. And there's our reviews.
Chico: Hope you'll take them to heart. Otherwise, it's a nasty trip to the bathroom.
Gordon: And speaking of which, we go there next but first, I hear we have results?
Chico: Yes we do. Last week, we started something new, the BFQ: the Big Facebook Question, from our Facebook site. It was: Chris Jericho has been tapped to host "Downfall". Does this make you more or less likely to watch and why? We got responses ranging from "Slightly more likely" to "way more likely". I'll share one...

“

Slightly more likely to watch, just to see if Jericho hosts in his wrestling character, or as himself -- of course, I probably would've watched anyway, at least once.

„

Chico: So thanks for visiting our Facebook site, and if you're reading this right now, we have a new question... It's over there right now. Go click during the break. We will wait.
Gordon: Here it is:

Late Night Liars: How did you like it?

Chico: Go to Facebook.com and search for We Love to Interrupt. Meanwhile, we'll search for the SuperToilet. See you on the other side.

(Brought to you by Last Last Comic Standing Standing... We put each season up against each other and hope it turns into a battle royale where everyone dies)

Chico: And the three words you love to hear... Gordon Pepper hosts.
Gordon: I'd host it. But it's time to host...The Plunger Revue!
Chico: YAY!
Jason: And you would be good at it! The Battle Royale LCS I mean.
Chico: Another eight coming down the pipe. Flushers and buzzers apply. Let's do it.

	ULTIMATE CAR BUILD-OFF Discovery - June 21
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
	PUSH	PUSH	PUSH

Jason: Oooh...concept?
Chico: Take one car, build another. It's a single elimination tournament with $100,000 on the line
Jason: I know cars. I will watch. PUSH.
Gordon: I know nothing about cars. I would watch this. Push.
Chico: I know a little about cars. More than Gordon, less than Jason. I will watch. PUSH. Big time push! Next...

	DOWNFALL ABC - June 22
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
	PUSH	PASTRY	PUSH

Chico: Now... I could tell you about this show... but if you've seen the commercial... you know that this is PUSHWORTHY.
Jason: This in my opinion is going to be the big hit of the summer. Chris Jericho is going to surprise a LOT of people. PUSH.
Gordon: I want to push the show. I really do. BUT. The format of the show still concerns me. Pastry.
Jason: I respect that G.
Chico: So we have a PUSH... with a little reservation. I mean, we've been burned before.
Jason: Oh yeah.
Gordon: That being said, I agree with Jason. It will be the big hit of the summer as it's right after Wipeout.
Chico: Speaking of...

	WIPEOUT ABC - June 22
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
	PUSH	PUSH	PASTRY

Chico: Altogether now... PUSH.
Gordon: Push
Jason: Um no....PASTRY.
Chico: You suck.
Jason: Its getting old to me. The same show over and over and over again. How many times can you see that.
Chico: Plenty. Did you SEE the blind date special?
Jason: No I didn't.
Gordon: They have new stunts, so I'd like to see more of it. I'd be more concerned about how many times can you put things on a conveyor belt.
Jason: Ok. I will check it out.
Chico: You better. Then come back and apologize to Gordon and me for all the hurtful remarks.
Jason: If I am wrong, I always do. You know me.
Chico: We do. Next...

	BIG BROTHER CBS - July 8
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
	PUSH	PUSH	PUSH

Chico: It's the usual case of cabin fever. The summer's guiltiest pleasure... PUSH.
Gordon: This will be a fun season. I feel it. Push.
Jason: Here's the thing with this one...while the UK version is faltering, the US version increased ratings. PUSH.
Chico: (Victory cue) Next...

	PROS vs. JOES Spike - July 14
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	FLUSH
	FLUSH	JIGGLE	FLUSH

Gordon: Once upon a time, this was a great franchise with 6 athletes going up against the best in various sports. now it's degenerated into wannabes playing hasbeens in pickup football and basketball games. This makes me sad. Jiggle.
Chico: Agreed. I don't even know why it's on anymore. Or even what the point of it all is. FLUSH.
Jason: Agreed. Hard to watch a great show die like this. FLUSH
Chico: Next..

	MASTERCHEF Fox - July 27
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PASTRY
	PUSH	PASTRY	JIGGLE

Chico: Adapted from the Australian series, 16 home cooks compete to become the next great chef under the tutelage of Gordon mother(^_^)ing Ramsay. I think this is going to be something really special... I want to PUSH.
Gordon: I want to like this, but I don't see them getting an audience with nothing we haven't seen before on Top Chef. Pastry.
Jason: Especially with the recent controversy in Australia ..Jiggle.
Chico: Oh yeah, forgot about that one. Finally...

	THE FASHION SHOW Bravo - July
	CHICO	GORDON	JASON	FLUSH
	FLUSH	JIGGLE	FLUSH

Chico: Why *headdesk* is this show *headdesk* still airing *headdesk*?
Jason: FLUSH. Dont ask me
Gordon: Cause it's the whole Project Runway BRAVO thing. I'll give it one more chance. ONE. Jiggle.
Chico: I betcha you'll change your tune. Even after Iman. FLUSH.
Gordon: I probably will
Chico: And that'll do it for now. We finish out the roster next week. Meanwhile, watch this while we prep for a Speed Round!
Gordon: Speed round starts after this.

(Brought to you by CashTrove.com. Haterade won $1,000 last month. He wants to repeat. Can you stop him? Go to CashTrove.com and try...though you won't succeed...heh heh heh...)

Chico: Not with the team he has on his side *poses*
Jason: lol
Gordon: I welcome all challengers.
Chico: Okay, time is running short and we have a soccer game to watch, so let's fire up the Speed Round!
Jason: USA! USA! USA!
Chico: Hell's Kitchen... who gets the boot next?
Gordon: Autumn is going to fall.
Chico: I think Siobhan may crumble a bit. It's not time for Autumn to falter YET. Though what she was doing throwing her team under the bus this early is ANYONE's guess.
Gordon: Ramsay usually targets people who pick the wrong teammates to go home. SYTYCD. Who's going home? Or do you care?
Chico: I don't care.
Jason: Me neither.
Gordon: Next great Artist: is Nao going away?
Chico: Not bloody likely. They need characters like her to keep the show afloat.
Gordon: I think Greg may have some issues
Jason: Exactly.
Gordon: I love issues of mail though. Do we have any?
Chico: Yes we do. We got one from Josh Johannesen... Thanks, Josh!

Chico: Thanks, Josh. I tried to do the math in my head as well... And I'm thinking that there's at least one couples edition later, but I don't know how many will be playing.
Gordon: Thanks Josh. There may not be dual episodes. There could be 2 hour specials or they could continue it through the fall.
Jason: Could be.
Chico: Myriad of possibilities.. As for the question of the "least important 22 minutes you'll ever waste"... Any given episode of DOND season 2.
Jason: Game. set and match
Chico: Yep.
Jason: Temptation.
Gordon: I'll go with the first half hour of American Idol results show.
Chico: Yikes. Okay, one more message, and it's from our friend Alan Mitsugi. Thanks, Alan!

Jason: It's a combination of both.
Chico: It's one of those "You just know" things. Like, if you count Ken Jennings.. He played 75 games of Jeopardy! and won $2.5 million in those games.
Jason: Right, but Brad Rutter is better. He is undefeated.
Chico: Then you have someone like Thom McKee...
Jason: My next guy.
Gordon: Grand Slam, Season 2 anyone?
Jason: Michael, if you are watching. Let's do this. I want in.
Chico: I forgot how many games he played. But he was Ken Jennings BEFORE Ken Jennings was Ken Jennings. I mean... four tie games... $36,800 bank... That was epic. And if you translate all of his winnings into 2010 dollars, it'd be about $800K. That's a lot. He played 89 games... Would you say HE's the best?
Jason: What about Scott Hostetler? He has won on most of the shows he has appeared on
Chico: True. And he's been on a LOT of them. Would you say that HE was the best?
Jason: This is like who is the best hitter in the game today? Pujols or A-Rod? Or Joe Mauer?
Gordon: While we take the discussion out, any more email?
Chico: Nope. But you can make like Stephan Strasburg and pitch us a real winner at WLTI@gameshownewsnet.com.
Gordon: That ends this show. Special thanks to Jason Block for joining us today
Jason: Much thanks. Good discussion today.
Chico: Very. Next week... we literally take on the world. You'll have to tune in to see what THAT entails :-)
Jason: Got me curious.
Chico: That's the idea!
Gordon: Before we do that. What are you watching?
Chico: USA/England, of course!
Jason: And Top Chef DC
Gordon: I'm watching me some College Baseball World Series and Top Chef DC. What are you NOT watching?
Chico: Is the Bachelorette still on?
Gordon: Why yes. yes it is.
Chico: Yeah, that.
Jason: Wheel...because the season just ended...and Last Comic Standing.
Gordon: I won't be watching the BP oil committee meetings. Stop talking and fix the problem already.
Chico: THANK YOU.
Gordon: So for Chico and Jason, this is Gordon Pepper saying Game Over...and Spread the Love.