Are You the One S7|E5: Get Thee to Rehab
This was a bizarro episode of Are You the One? that is unlike any normal episode of the show. They’re throwing the whole formula out the window, so this recap is also going to be all over the place. I just don’t know what to say. You all know I was concerned about the exes not coming back with the loss of challenges, but Mtv of course found a way to work exes into this season anyway. Through the unmatched couples attending “Relationship Rehab.”
Here’s the thing I never get about set-ups like this. How is this any different from just staying in the house? All the same people are there. But it’s like a camp ground now instead of a house with a pool. There’s also a lot of glow-in-the-dark paint in rehab. Don’t get me wrong. The glamping set-up looked fun, but… like, why is this rehab?
Read moreBSG #19: Jaysus! / The Trespasser
BSG #19: Jaysus! / The Trespasser
Get out your magnifying glasses because it’s time for a classic detective story as we dive into Tana French’s newest novel, The Trespasser. The #BookSquad talks about the mystery genre, the “femme fatale” character type, and subverting expectations in detective fiction. Plus, we answer the question: Just how Irish is this book? (Spoiler: Jaysus! It’s very Irish.) There’s even a new segment in this episode called Emily Recommends, where Emily tells you which Tana French book you should read next! Then we read some listener feedback from our last fullpisode on The Leftovers. After you listen to this, check out our latest content on the #BookSquadBlog, and start watching Sharp Objects if you haven’t already, because that’s what we’re discussing on our next othersode! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!
Click through for table of contents and show notes!
Read moreSo You Think You Can Dance: The Top 4 Get Vulnerable
Vulnerability. It's a quality that is intangible and yet become so important in these final weeks of competition on So You Think You Can Dance. At this point, several (if not all) of the top four are on equal footing when it comes to dance ability, so whether the audience is able to view the dancers as "vulnerable" or not can win or lose the season for these contestants. Often, a far superior dancer will go home because of this perceived lack of vulnerability, which is what I guess happened here and why we have landed ourselves with this top 4. They certainly aren't the best dancers of the season, but they are perhaps the most vulnerable? Who knows? Who can argue with that?
In this episode, Vanessa Hudgens says, "being vulnerable is the connective tissue of your soul." Do you know what that means? Because I don't. This is probably why I don't have what it takes to be a contestant on this show. That's probably the only reason. Right?
Anyhow. On to the performances.
Read moreAre You The One S7|E4: Just A Bunch of Random People on Some Horses
That's right. Time to get the bottles poppin' because here is your weekly Are You the One? recap that I know you've been desperately waiting for. A lot of drama went down this week. Tea was spilled, COFFEE was splashed all over the counter, couples were formed, other couples were tested, people got into drunk fights and called each other by the wrong names, horses were ridden across the foggy moors. All in one hour of television. Let's go.
Read moreYA Book Club in Paradise: The Final Chapter
September 1st is here, which means it’s nearly the end of summer. Which means… It’s the final installment of YA Book Club in Paradise. But fear not, fans of Mary and Emily’s YA Book Club series. We’re not taking a break this time. Immediately following this, we’re jumping into a little YA Book Club mini-session we’ve dubbed YA Book Club: Back 2 School. We’re hitting up two books for this installment of the book club. They are:
My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows (end of September)
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (end of October)
Read along with us, and come back at the end of the month to read our review of My Plain Jane. But for now? Let’s get into our last pick for the summer: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler. Spoilers to follow…
Read moreSo You Think You Can Dance: Who's Going to the Finale?
It’s already time for the finale next week, guys. My head is spinning. How did this happen so quickly? Who even are these people? Why does it feel like the auditions were twice as long as the live show? Can FOX stop the madness? Even Nigel pleaded with FOX this week to bring back the Top 20, so what do we have to do to make that happen? Like, if we’re gonna do this show. Let’s do it RIGHT, right?
Anyhow, here’s how everything went down.
Read moreOthersode #18: Hold On To Your Souls / Grady Hendrix & Jennifer's Body
Othersode #18: Hold On To Your Souls / Grady Hendrix & Jennifer's Body
Souls are being sold all over the place in this #othersode as the squad discusses ‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009) and Emily interviews Grady Hendrix, author of the forthcoming book ‘We Sold Our Souls.’ In the 2009 horror-comedy ‘Jennifer’s Body,’ the squad (with special guest Mary Kay!) talk about feminism, horror movie tropes, whether Megan Fox can act, and the dangers of demonic possession. Next Emily and Grady talk about his newest book, as well as his other work (which all feature female characters!). Grady talks about his hands-on research processes, why the horror genre makes him happy, why vampires are kind of lame (but yes, he is currently writing a vampire novel), and, of course, Stephen King. Plus, get a rundown of what’s currently on the #BookSquadBlog and what’s up next on the podcast. For our next #fullpisode, get out your magnifying glass and trench coat because it’s mystery time! Read along with us for Tana French’s ‘The Trespasser.’ See ya on the social meedz - @booksquadgoals. Until next time, keep an eye on your soul!
Click through for table of contents and show notes!
Read moreAre You The One S7|E3: Do Not Infer With Me Right Now
Episode 3 of Are You The One starts off where we left off, with Bria freaking out and screaming for her mom. This is not good TV. This is stressful.
Also Bria took up so much of last week’s episode(s) that Kenya giving Lewis a BJ totally flew under the radar for me. Yes, that’s how much Bria’s wailing is addling my brain. Please make it stop. Anyway, on with the recap.
Read moreSo You Think You Can Dance: The Top 8 Get Whittled Down to 6
And the number of dancers continues to dwindle ever so quickly before we even have a sense of what these dancers can do. How is the American public supposed to feel inclined to pick up the phone and vote for people they barely know? This is why starting with 20 is so important. Or one of the many reasons. In my frustration, I searched the Internet for some sort of justification for WHY they've cut the beginning number of dancers in half, and this article on Dance Network was the best argument I could find.
But I still disagree. Yes, keeping the numbers down to 10 rather than 20 means we're getting much more skilled dancers right off the bat. But the show has never been about finding America's BEST dancer. The wording of the show clearly says America's FAVORITE dancer. Part of what makes someone a "favorite" is the journey, rather than the end result. We want to see dancers falter and get better after receiving feedback. We want to root for the underdog and watch them grow and get better. Cutting the show down to a Top 10 doesn't give space for growth. And the show happens so quickly now that the dancers that are on the show are simply proving how good they are now, rather than getting an opportunity to become even better.
But on with the show, I guess. Sigh.
Read more