Weekend is Over. Progress Made.

Whose Live?

Whose Live is it Anyway? was fantastic last night! Marv and I laughed our butts off. The show was hilarious. There was a good crowd of 20-somethings and 30-somethings at the casino. Greg Proops started off the show chatting with the audience and finding out (funny) facts about potash and potash mining (potash mines are a big employer in our province). Then he introduced Chip Esten (cutie, great singer and former actor on The Office as Josh Porter, Regional Manager of the Stamford Branch who eventually jumped ship and went to Staples). Then Jeff Davis was introduced, he was on a few televised episodes of Whose Line? Davis is best known for deadpan wit, Christopher Walken impressions and his great singing voice. Then, perhaps saving the best for last, Greg Proops invited Ryan Stiles to come out on stage to a big ovation from the audience (Ryan Stiles is a recurring cast member of Two and a Half Men, as Judith's husband Herb Melnick). Very funny guy. He wore normal looking shoes for this show. Rounding out the troupe was Bob Derkatch, playing background music and piano to different improv games, and of course, for Greatest Hits.

The four cast members performed Song Styles, Film TV & Theater Styles, Number of Words, Jeopardy, Quick Change, Whose Line, Tag, Moving People, Soap Opera and Greatest Hits. Best game -- Greatest Hits. Chip and Jeff can really sing. All the guys were hilarious. There were times when the performers couldn't contain their own laughter at the zany scenes and lines the others came up with. Who knew that potash, Costco, Bollywood, Shakespeare, hockey rinks and soap operas would be combined into one funny show? We'll definitely see them again if we get a chance!

Dancing with the Stars Update

People.com reported today that Melissa Rycroft will be replacing the injured Nancy O'Dell on DWTS and will be performing live on the premiere tomorrow. Jewel is also out with an injury and will be replaced by Holly Madison. I think Melissa has singlehandedly stolen the drama factor away from Denise Richards even before the show premiered. Maybe this is ABC's way of redeeming themselves after the whole Bachelor finale debacle....or Melissa is right where she wants to be. hmmn.

Renos

Marv and I are in the middle of every homeowner's current favorite task (besides taxes).....HOUSE RENOS. YIPPEE. Our goal date for listing our house is April 2nd. Here's hoping we complete our renos before then! Correction: We WILL complete our house renos by April 2nd. What's left to do? Well, we just got the new bathroom floor installed on Friday. We are waiting for quotes from our tile/plumber guy and our painter. Our hardwood floors will be redone on Friday (right before we leave to visit Renata and her family). And Marv is away this week on business. So guess who gets to clean up all the rooms before Friday?

Yours truly,
Lacia

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - Dancing with the Stars, Season 8

Cue "The Final Countdown" by Europe. (Hey, didn't Lisa Rinna and Louis Van Amstel perform the Paso Doble to that song in Season 2?)

Random British Guy's Voiceover: Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome the Dancing with the Stars Cast of Season 8!!!!

• Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
• Actor Gilles Marini and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Rapper Lil’ Kim and season seven champ Derek Hough
• Actress Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Pop star Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
• Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and season six champ Mark Ballas
• Reality star Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
• Rodeo star Ty Murray and first-time Dancing pro Chelsie Hightower
• Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff
• Country singer Chuck Wicks and two-time champ Julianne Hough
• Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and Tony Dovolani
• Actor David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson
• Singer Jewel and first-time Dancing pro Dmitry Chaplin

LACIA'S OBSERVATIONS AND EARLY PREDICTIONS:

Denise Drama Queen Richards and Hottie Maks C

Quick assessment: embarassment for Denise, hilarious for me, frustrating for Maks. Denise is all about the drama. Maks has zero tolerance for breakdowns. I'm expecting some jealousy from the newly engaged Karina towards Denise and her inevitable breakdowns. Especially after Denise has had a hard day at practice and invites Maks to go to Legoland with herself, Sam and Lola to unwind and finally have some fun. Maybe they'll run into Bachelor Jason Mesnick and his son Ty hanging out with their new buddies, Stephanie Hogan and her daughter Sophia.

Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas

Great pairing. Johnson is America's other darling gymnast from the Beijing Olympics. Should be awesome to watch, although I think Mark will have to work on facial expressions with Shawn. She is only used to one expression: grinning. Prediction: Final 2.

Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts

My husband loves Belinda Carlisle (his 8th grade crush). "Summer Rain" is always on our Ipod mix during summer vacations. Not sure how long these two will last, but I hope the remaining members of the Go-Gos get front row seats to show tapings ala Spice Girls from Mel B's season.

Jewel competing against her husband, Ty Murray

I see shy-Ty as stiff as a board. He might have one breakout number before being voted off. Jewel will stay on longer than Ty and rock the latin numbers.

Lil' Kim and Derek Hough

Oh boy. Either a recipe for success or a recipe for DISASTER. I can imagine the fights occuring during practice footage already and Lil' Kim insisting on wearing pasties for her first dance number on premiere night.

Julianne Hough competing with her boyfriend, Chuck Wicks

Almost too cute of a pairing, which could lead to annoying fights. I think ABC has already booked Dr. Drew for some therapy sessions.

Nancy O'Dell and Tony Dovolani

Too much like the Leeza Gibbons season.

The Rest

Kinda meh so far. But, I could be surprised this season. I’ll watch.