To Whom It May Concern

Last night and this morning I had a couple of ideas that I want to share and pass on. I think they're good ideas and I think people should listen. So here goes:

To the producers of Dancing with the Stars - I've watched your show from the beginning . . . season one. The only episode I've ever missed was the one that aired the day my new dog (at the time - I've had him several years now) chewed through the cable line and I had no antenna. In my defense though, I DID watch it online the next day. I only say this to point out my dedication to the show over the years so that you know what I say is out of love and intended as constructive criticism.

That said, let me get to the point . . . stop wasting my time. I've long ago accepted that elimination night is roughly 20 minutes of commercials, 35 minutes of crap no one cares about and 5 minutes dedicated to announcing who is going home. I quit watching it live so that I can fast forward through all the useless stuff and get right to the point of Tuesday night's show.

I've also stopped watching competition night live. This season I started watching How I Met Your Mother first, then jumping over to DWTS so that I can fast forward through commercials and the timing works out such that we end at the same time. BUT, these last two weeks, when I've switched over to DWTS, competition night hadn't even started yet! The last two weeks the first thirty minutes or so were wasted on showing us useless stuff that had nothing to do with the competition. Don't get me wrong, I loved watching the Top Ten Favorites last night but that's usually useless stuff that's aired on elimination nights. What gives with that? If you don't have enough competition to fill the night, cut down how much time you allow for it. Give another show a shot at the wasted air time.

But I said I wanted to offer some constructive criticism, and I do. So here it is, let's cut out elimination night. I know that sounds like I'm eliminating something kind of vital to the competition but hear me out. In season one you only aired one night a week. Go back to that but put a spin on it. Here's what I propose . . .

On week one, everyone dances for judges scores and viewer votes as usual. The following week, the first five minutes are dedicated to announcing the bottom two dancers, who have prepared a new dance for the week. They have a dance off for scores and the it's the judges scores that week that send a dancer packing. The scores for the saved dancer carry over and are combined with viewers' votes that week and the show continues in that way. That way only one night a week is dedicated to the show and it kind of kicks up the tension each week.

Just promise you'll think about it, okay?

But there's something else. You need to get some published authors on the show (publishing agents/editors you need to get on board with this too!). If you did, you'd get viewers that you might not otherwise get because I can tell you from experience, writers (romance writers in particular) are very supportive of one another. (To the publishing agents out there, get cracking on this because not only would your authors get free marketing, they'd get paid, which means you'd get a cut!)

I even have a few suggestions to help you out with this. I think Mary Higgins Clark would make a great partner for Tony Dovolani. Or how about Julia Quinn with Derek Hough? Jill Shalvis with Max-with-the-unspellable-last-name (I'd love to see how he did in the wilderness when she does her nature walks and hears wild animals. Or how he reacts to spiders. I bet he'd scream like a girl! heehee). You could even partner up Stephen King with Kym Johnson.

So there you go. I've given you a few suggestions to start with, what you do with it is up to you. But the bottom line (and forgive me for repeating myself) is, you need to stop wasting my time with useless crap that adds no value whatsoever to the show!

There now, I feel better. :-)

Freebies revisited

As human beings we mature and evolve. Over time our interests change. And as such, I think it's time I revisit my "freebie" list.

It was roughly five years ago that I made this post wherein I listed the top five people on my "to do" list.

Let's review (in no particular order), shall we?

Gary Sinise. Okay, I have to say that I was shocked to see his name on my list. Seriously, how did that happen? No offense to Mr. Sinise but I can't imagine him ever being my type. Maybe it was late one night at a bar. It was last call and I was drunk enough to find him appealing enough to go home with. Otherwise, I have no explanation for this entry. (Seriously Mr. Sinise, it's not you - it's me.)

Nicholas Cage. Unlike Mr. Sinise, I remember the strong pull of Mr. Cage. Unfortunately, like the song, I've lost that loving feeling. I recently watched a movie of his - one that I really like - and he did nothing for me.

Josh Duhamel. I heard him on a radio interview not long after I posted the original freebies list and well, let's just say it completely changed my opinion of him. To this day I can't see him without remembering his comment and it colors my opinion of him, his work and everything about him. So, Mr. Duhamel I say this - it IS you, NOT me.

Michael E Knight. Like the others I've mentioned before, our "relationship" has evolved. We've moved on to that place where we're best buddies. I can't imagine him not being in my life but I no longer want to "do" him. But, we're very, very happy. ;-)

Leonardo DiCaprio. I have to say that I wasn't sure where I stood with him until I saw his picture pulling the link for this post. Let me just say, he still has it!

So, that's the old list. Here's the new, updated list (in no particular order):

Leonardo DiCaprio - see comment above.

Nathan Fillion - Do I need to qualify this? If so, please report to the nearest ER because you may be lacking a pulse!

Gilles Marini - I saw the Sex and the City movie the day it came out but I had no idea who he was when he was announced as a celebrity from SATC on Dancing with the Stars. But, he totally won me over. Totally. And now that he's on Brothers and Sisters every week. . . *sigh*

Neil Patrick Harris - Yes, I know he's in a committed relationship but for these purposes that's never a consideration, right? And yes, I know he plays for the other team but that doesn't really factor in to his appeal. (As Barney would say - Challenge Accepted! ;-) ) He's just so adorable. He's definitely high on my list! (By the way, this is the post I was referring to when I said I'd have an upcoming post about NPH.)

So, there is my list. I know it's only four instead of the usual five but as we mature we get older and four is enough for me now.

What about you? Who's on your list? Please share!