HARD TO SAY GOODBYE...

It has been a week of television finales and goodbyes and I found myself a bit disappointed by some of the send offs.

Biggest Loser concluded their 11th season and it was exciting to witness all the transformations. Most of the contestants made amazing strides in their weight loss goals and you can’t take anything from their accomplishments. Then there were a select two who hadn’t lost any more than what they’d posted on their last week at the ranch. Clearly going home didn’t do much for them and even in their pretty new clothes I had to wonder if they ever figured out that bickering with the trainers about knowing what was best, didn’t serve them well.

There was barely a goodbye for trainer Jillian Michaels who is leaving the show to pursue motherhood. Instead they gave a warm welcome to new trainer, tennis pro Anna Kournikova. Already I’m wondering what the blonde bombshell is going to bring. Although she’s trained herself to be a world class athlete, she has never won a major singles championship nor been ranked highly against her peers, so what does she know about training other people? What is her certification and what does she bring to the table besides that luxurious head of hair, baby blue eyes, and celebrity status? I’m inclined to say not much. I, for one, am going to hate to see Jillian leave but I wish her all the best.

Local NC favorite, Scotty McCreery was crowned this year’s American Idol and although I was not at all impressed with the final round of competition between him and Lauren Alaina, I thoroughly enjoyed the finale show. The stars came out in droves and every performance was stellar, although Jennifer needs to let Mark Anthony down nicely and let him know just because she got a good gig doesn’t mean he needs to ride her coattails and try to come out of retirement. I also wish whoever is dressing judge Randy would put a mirror in the room so the man can take a good look at himself before he steps out. He’s not sixteen anymore, nor is he a size small. The outfits have been a touch too small and just too out there for a man his age but hey, whatever floats his really skinny jeans.

Then of course Oprah Winfrey took her last bow. The star-studded, two-day extravaganza was fun to witness and was a fitting tribute to a woman who has given so much over the last twenty-five years. And her grand finale was fitting, Oprah at her best. She was funny, moving, preachy, enlightening, gracious, and all things you’ve either loved or disliked about her. It was hard to say goodbye and she will be missed by millions, myself included.

So now that a few of my favorites are all done and finished I’m determined not to get caught up with the summer line up of anyone’s reality shows. No dance nothing, no reality-this or American-that. Nada! I’ve promised myself to read more, write a lot and watch TV less. We’ll see how that works out for me!