The Amazing Race: The First Season (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am happy that the show finally found an audience that made the producers of the show decided to release the first season on DVD. I think of all the reality series, this one will hold its own best in "repeated viewings" and on syndication. Unlike other reality series, even if you already know who wins or who gets eliminated in a particular episode, it doesn't ruin the quality of the episode. But of course there's still nothing compared to seeing these episodes for the first time.
It is a revolutionary reality series that has a concept that was probably very hard to pull off on paper (can you imagine the reactions of the TV executives when they first heard about the concept of the show). But amazingly, they did pull it off! It is very evident that the producers treat each episode as "special episode" because can you just imagine the logistics and the number of people (across the globe) involve in producing this show?
There are some aspects of the show that were later on in the succeeding seasons were changed mostly for improvements. Example of this is that in the first season, Phil only received the teams who came in the last place (a person from that particular country receives those who came in before the last team). Part of the fun is watching the reactions of the racers anticipate whether they were eliminated or not. Because in the first season the racers already know if they came in last, we were not able to see those kinds of reactions.
Some of the most memorable teams were Team Guido (you won't believe the extent they were willing to do to get ahead), Lenny and Karyn (the original fighting couple, but their fight looked real and not some deliberate attempt to gain screen time. When Karyn said "Disappointing", you believe her!), Nancy and Emily (even though Emily acted like a brat, Nancy just radiates with motherly innocence in the race), and Kevin and Drew (the original funny guys)
When the winner finally cross the finish line at the finale, with all the eliminated teams cheering for them, you just can't help but feel like being a part of the race.

Grade: A

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Amazing Race: The First Season (2001)

The premiere season of THE AMAZING RACE sees 12 teams race around the globe to 'amazing' locations including Thailand, China, Tunisia, India, Italy, France, Alaska and Zambia for a $1,000,000 prize in the end.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about The Amazing Race: The First Season (2001)

Project Runway - The Complete First Season (2004) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The 12 designers have stand-out personalities that draw you in immediately, even if you don't have a clue about (or even an interest in) fashion. Each week the designers are given a challenge (such as buying their supplies from ONLY a grocery store with only $50 to make their first piece). They are put to the test both creatively and technically with each new challenge (such as redesigning the US Postal Service uniform or creating the perfect Grammy dress), and it gets really funny and bitchy at times. For each challenge, the designers are allowed to choose a model with whom to work by pulling numbers out of a hat to determine the order in which they get to choose, with the winner of the last challenge getting first choice. Each week, not only is one designer cut, but a model will be sent home as well. The top three designers go on to show their unique lines at New York's Fashion Week. The winner of that competition, as well as his/her model, receives impressive opportunities in the fashion industry!
The designers are judged by such fashion icons as Michael Kors, as well as world-famous supermodel Heidi Klum and occasional celebrity judges. The pieces they create range from funky to formal, simple to elaborate, extravagent to the completely outrageous!
I highly recommend this DVD, along with all the extras. There is no other reality show that can compare to Project Runway. It's really fun to root for your favorite designer, and you'll really feel for each one when they get cut.
"In the fashion world, as in this competition, you're either in or you're out."

Click Here to see more reviews about: Project Runway - The Complete First Season (2004)

This sexy and addictive hit show will draw you in with its irresistible combination of creativity and intensity inside the glamorous industry of high fashion! Starring beautiful international supermodel Heidi Klum -- you'll go behind the scenes and take an unguarded look at what it takes for some hip young designers to make it in the highly competitive world of fashion! Featuring every entertaining episode of the acclaimed first season, this must-have DVD collection also includes a wealth of never-before-seen outtakes and reams of bonus material!

Get 13% OFF

Click here for more information about Project Runway - The Complete First Season (2004)

Keeping Up with the Kardashians: The Complete First Season Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)my wife made me watch the kardashians when it first came out and I admit I liked it right away and we have been watching ever since. naturally we could'nt wait for it to come out on dvd. I could'nt be more disappointed with the dvd because its shown exactly as shown on E. I was looking foward to hearing the exact language and other things they can't show on tv. If I wanted to see it this way, all I have to do is watch the reruns which E shows all the time. I feel like I wasted my money on it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Keeping Up with the Kardashians: The Complete First Season

If "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" is the Brady Bunch of reality shows, Kim Kardashian is the Marcia.Sexy, self-assured, and totally sweet, the Beverly Hills bombshell-slash-stylist with the famous friends and to-die-for derriere has weathered her share of scandals.Yet she's thrilled to be letting it all hang out as the cameras capture her blended family in action.

Get 23% OFF

Click here for more information about Keeping Up with the Kardashians: The Complete First Season

Top Chef: New York (Season 5) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just finished this series and I loved it. I can cook but I certainly am not a chef. Nevertheless, I adore watching these chefs in their competitions plus I am a creative person so I am learning. I will never be able to do the complex dishes but one learns that often the simpler dishes do better in the competitions. The mortal sin seems to be in undercooking or overcooking anything. If you can stay away from this flaw, you are actually in the running for being a heck of a cook. I began watching this show because I've enjoyed Project Runway so much. One thing that is better for the contestants with this show is that the contestants get great prizes all the way through. In season six this aspect improves even more. So everyone seems to go home with some really great prizes. The judges are really generous with their prizes for winners too. Project Runway is a lot stingier towards its contestants. Maybe chefs are just more generous people than fashion designers. It sure seems so. I applaud Top Chef for creating rewards for as many contestants as possible. No matter what your level of cooking skill, you will enjoy this show. I do not watch reality tv generally but I do like it where you can improve your own skill level by watching these competitions.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Top Chef: New York (Season 5)

The world-class culinary competition only gets fiercer in TOP CHEF: NEW YORK--the No. 1 food show on cable--as 17 new cheftestants head to the Big Apple to test their skills and compete for culinary stardom. Featuring some of the biggest names in food and entertainment, the fifth season of this Emmy®-award winning series welcomes newbie Toby Young to the judges' table alongside host Padma Lakshmi, head judge and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons. In the most challenging season yet, the cheftestants battle to prove they have what it takes to be crowned the next Top Chef.
DVD features:
-Exclusive cookbook -Never-aired stew room footage -Extended interviews -Cooking demonstrations -PC game demo
Vote for your favorite contestant, read bios, and more in our Top Chef: New York Store.
COMPETITION STAGES
Episode 1: Melting Pot
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are welcomed to the Big Apple by host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio and their skills are put to the test with a three round apple tournament. Elimination Challenge: Each of the chefs draws a knife from the knife block marked with one of eight New York City neighborhoods. The chefs teams must cook dishes which represent the ethnic cuisines of those neighborhoods. Guest Judge: Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Elimination Challenge)
Episode 2: Show Your Craft
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are asked to create their version of a classic, well-loved New York dish: the hot dog and the compete against Angelina DiAngelo of Dominick's Hot Dog Truck in Queens. Elimination Challenge: The chefs must now open what Padma calls "Top Chef Restaurant" in Manhattan. They are asked to create a three-course New American lunch menu for fifty diners.Guest judge Donatella Arpaia, a successful restaurateur and food expert (Quickfire Challenge)
Episode 3: A Foo Fighters Thanksgiving
Quickfire Challenge: Padma announces that this week's challenge is about "rolling with the punches." The chefs are asked to draw knives. Each knife is marked with a number, which refers to a specific page in "Top Chef: The Cookbook." Contestants are given an hour to put their own spin on the recipe from that page Elimination Challenge: The chefs are asked to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the rock band Foo Fighters and its entire entourage of more than 60 guests at the band’s next venue. Guest judge and award-winning molecular gastronomist Grant Achatz.(Quickfire+Elimination Challenges), Foo Fighters (Elimination Challenge)
Episode 4: Today Show
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are given 30 minutes to create a breakfast amuse-bouche for the Today Show. Elimination Challenge: The chefs are asked to create a dish that can be cooked and served for a 2½-minute live television presentation, which will be taped inside the Top Chef kitchen. They are to be taken to Rockefeller Center to cook their dishes for the hosts of NBC's The Today Show.Guests Rocco DiSpirito (Quickfire+Elimination Challenges), Today Show Cast (Elimination Challenge)
Episode 5: Gail’s Bridal Shower
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs pair up and are taken into a darkened kitchen where they are given 15 seconds to taste a specific sauce. They must then bid on the number of ingredients they think they can name correctly. Elimination Challenge: Padma asks the chefs to prepare a four-course meal for 40 of Gail's bridal shower. Each course is to be inspired by one of the lines of the traditional wedding rhyme, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Guest judge Dana Cowin (Elimination Challenge)
Episode 6: 12 Days of Christmas
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are asked to create a "one pot wonder" – a holiday meal that can be prepared in just one cooking vessel – and present it to Martha Stewart. Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create dishes inspired by lines from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and cater a 250 guest holiday party hosted by the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Guest judges Martha Stewart (Quickfire Challenge), Natasha Richardson and Michelle Bernstein (Elimination Challenge)
Episode 7: Focus Group
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs have 45 minutes to craft a sugar-free dessert so good, the judges will think there is "nothing diet about it." Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create dishes that express their individuality and serve the food family style to the judges and an unspecified number of mystery food experts. Guest judge Jean-Christophe Novelli (Quickfire+Elimination Challenges)
Episode 8: Down on the Farm
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs have 15 minutes to create a delicious dish using only canned goods. Elimination Challenge: The chefs are asked to draw knives and split into three teams: Team Chicken, Team Lamb, and Team Pork. The chefs are to create a delicious, seasonal lunch for 16 people based on their team's protein. Their menu must be served family-style, and must include a dessert.Guest judge Hung Huynh (Quickfire Challenge), Dan Barber (Elimination Challenge)
Episode 9: Restaurant Wars
Quickfire Challenge: The contestants must do a tasting for restaurateur Stephen Starr. The chefs then have 30 minutes and complete access to the Top Chef pantry to create one dish that showcases their concept for a potential restaurant.

Get 38% OFF

Click here for more information about Top Chef: New York (Season 5)

The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season One Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I promised I would not buy this because I have seen it a million times on Bravo but of all the "Housewives" franchises, New Jersey is my favorite! Atlanta used to be but there is something more genuine and organic about the drama between this particular group of ladies. I'm anxiously waiting for Season 2 to begin next month for even more table flipping!
I love the relationship between the sisters Caroline and Dina. With their sister-in-law Jacqueline and close friend Theresa, the odd "woman" out is Danielle. You really want to root for her but there's something about her that makes that a little difficult. I don't know if her past has hardened her (which it more than likely did), but her caustic and biting tongue are a little hard to take at times.
If you haven't checked out this series, indulge just once...you may also love love love it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season One

Bravo heads to the Garden State to follow the five most Jersey of all Jersey Girls as they live lavish lifestyles and deal with all the drama that money can buy. The hair is big, but the drama is bigger in The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season One. For the first time in Real Housewives history, the ladies are more than just friends – joining the cast are two sisters, who are married to two brothers – and one sister-in-law, bringing a whole new level of familial drama to the table. While family remains a priority for each of these women, their shopping, decorating, dating and even fighting are all over-the-top.From their wild weekend in Atlantic City to the infamous table flip, watch every episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season One including the two Watch What Happens episodes, The Lost Footage and the director's cut of the season finale, all of 3 DVDs.

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Season One