Screw The Drama -- Reality TV Edition

As a fan of reality shows that revolve around a trade (i.e. Cooking, Clothes Design, Hair Design, etc) of course I've been watching Top Chef the day it airs. I must say, this season is certainly different from last season in a few ways:

The major thing I've noticed is that Bravo has to actually fake drama because the final bunch (about 6 chefs) all actually get along! The last bit of animosity that was on the show was from Howie who had formally acted very pig-headed and certainly not like a team player, but once he turned himself around the drama was gone from the show.

Bravo and pretty much any network with a reality show constantly try to create drama through their editing. It's hard to blame them for it, that's what gets ratings as a rule of thumb. But for me, I don't need it! I'm enjoying this season, I think more than last season purely because the contestants are all getting along so well. On the last bunch of challenges each contestant went out of their way to help another contestant. I love it! Perhaps I love it so much because with each person doing so well (due to the added help) the judges can't say anything mean and have an incredibly hard time voting someone off, and rationalizing it.

The Prediction

In the last episode C.J. was sent home by the judges and rightfully so-- he created a meal which the judges all said was inedible and hadn't done anything amazing for the last few challenges.

I believe Brian will be the next one sent home, he was one of the three at the bottom last challenge and on top of that he hasn't been doing so well in the challenges before that. Remember him as team captain recently? It appeared he appointed himself that position to get glory if everyone succeeded but if they didn't, he wouldn't take the blame stating that "...they are not my Sous Chefs...". The judges saw through him and unless he really cooks something amazing next challenge he's home

For Hung I don't think there's anyway he can win it. I'm surprised he's stayed in this long in the competition. It seemed that in the beginning of the season he was taking risks left and right, which the judges seemed to have appreciated enough to send him on to the next round after round. But recently he has been playing it safe, too safe to win I think. Also he just doesn't seem to have enough depth as a person, or perhaps that's just how he's portrayed but he seems like a one trick pony to me.

Casey... she boggles my mind. In the beginning of the season she did really well, then towards the middle she was taking the bottom place over and over again. Now she's stepping it up again. I can't tell what her issue is that is causing her to flip flop from the top 3 to the bottom 3 constantly. Is she getting lucky when she does win? Or is she really better than these other guys? It's hard to tell with her.

Sara: I think she has potential to win the whole thing. I used to not like her very much -- this is when she was letting Howie push her around and she just didn't have much presence. But that one day when she finally stood up to Howie and told him to "do them over" I developed a whole new respect for her. She has become much more assertive and it shows in her food I think, she's not forgettable anymore. And as long as she thinks things through from now on I think she can make it.

Dale: He's another one who one day is on the top and the next on the bottom. But I would say lately (last 3-4 episodes) he's been on the up and up. I'm pretty sure the only reason he didn't win the entire elimination challenge last time is because he forgot that ONE steak, otherwise it seemed flawless.

In Conclusion I think Dale, Sara, and Casey will be fighting to the death this season, sorry Hung! But my money, specifically is on Sara ... and NOT just because we share a name (minus the H)