Tonight's the night! Pack your knives and get ready for Top Chef Season 5 at 10 p.m. on Bravo. The show repeats immediately afterwards at 11:15 p.m. So do the math ... the premiere is actually an hour and 15 minutes, just in case you're taping, I wouldn't want you to miss to ending.

So here's what I've been able to find out about tonight's episode. As I stated before, Top Chef will be set in none other than New York City this season, which should make things interesting since NYC has per capita the greatest gathering of "top chefs" in just about the whole world (maybe eclipsed only by Paris, I think).
Tonight, 17 new chef contestants will descend on the Big Apple to test their culinary skills and compete for a chance at $100,000 and other prizes, including a feature in Food & Wine magazine and the honor of being named Top Chef!

Tom, Gail & Padma -- Judges Table awaits
Joining the contestants will be judges Tom Colicchio, chef/owner of the Craft Restaurants, Gail Simmons of Food & Wine magazine, hostess/actress/cookbook author/elfman fave Padma Lakshmi and brand new judge Toby Young, food critic and author of "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People." Young also fills the void for a cranky, wise-cracking Englishman (a la Simon Cowell). But don't look for him on tonight's episode, guest judge will be none other than Jean-George Vongerichten, probably the biggest chef in this city of big chefs! If you haven't heard of him - google it! You'll be amazed. I'm surprised he hasn't been to QVC yet to hawk culinary items like Wolfgang Puck (another chef I'd love to see guest here).

How's this pic Elfman?
Top Chef has always been a step above Fox's Hell's Kitchen, although I would absolutely LOVE to see Gordon Ramsay guest judge on this show. While Hell's Kitchen is all about the drama (and where do they get their "chefs"), Top Chef is more about the talent and the food - ooohh the food!! I've actually learned a thing or to about cooking and especially culinary language while watching this show.
And if you're a fan of Project Runway, you'll love Top Chef. It's essentially the same show, just swap the clothing for well-prepared culinary delights! It's the ultimate cooking show for those of you who enjoy the Food Network!

Season 5 Chefs
OK, back to tonight's episode. Among the 17 contestants are a man from Italy and a guy from Scandanavia, a couple of Long Island/Queens guys, a woman from Georgia and a handsome guy from Miami. Also figure the usual tattooed-guy from Hawaii, an American woman with parents from India, the requisite student from the CIA (Culinary Institute of America, not the other one), another overbearing gay guy and the usual suspects.
Tonight's challenge has thechefs each pick a knife with a region of the city written across it i.e. Little Italy, Little India, Chinatown, Astoria, Brighton Beach, etc. The chefs are taken to those particular areas where they must shop for ingredients and then make an authentic-tasting dish for that area. Since some of the new chefs have never come across the cuisine chosen for them, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with!

Who will be this season's Marcel?
When last heard from, Marcel was journeying to Modor to throw the ring into the fires of Mt. Doom -- I miss Marcel!
Tune in tonight! For more info visit http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/best_of/index.php

Other than my biker boys on FX (Sons of Anarchy) at 10 p.m., the only other thing interesting me tonight is PBS' premiere episode of its new series Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work. However, tonight's show looks like it's mainly dealing with the Queen's stateside visit from last year, and most of the footage looks like what I've already seen on last spring's 20/20 special. I'll be looking forward to future installments!

About Last Night: Apparently I missed the big fight over on The Biggest Loser: Families edition. Since I haven't been watching, I don't know the contestants names, but there was a big blow up between players, followed by an even bigger upset!
You and I can catch up at http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/


Lisa, Sheree, NeNe, DeShawn & Kim
I did, however, thoroughly enjoy all the controversy over on Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta. The girls showed up earlier last night over on Extra, where Sheree, NeNe (who looked like they've made up) and DeShawn were plugging tonight's ep, featuring male models stripping for Sheree's fashion debut. NeNe also took the time to flirt-up Extra host Mario Lopez, and admitted that looking at the show on TV, she wishes she could've said some things differently, "but you can't take it back now."
Anyway, here's a quick run-down: Lisa's pro-football player hubby finished his achilles rehab and signed with the Oakland Raiders. Sheree's samples for her fashion debut were poorly made, leaving her with nothing for the debut, but she had the party anyway. Kim and Sheree boycotted the barbeque Deshawn arranged to get them to make up with NeNe. NeNe held her Big Hat Brunch fund-raiser to kick off her charity for abused women (it was worth watching just for the big hats!). NeNe and her "gay boyfriend" Dwight got pedicures and dissed Sheree's party, with Dwight saying "How can you have a fashion show without fashion? Kharma's a bitch!"
And talking about Kharma, NeNe found out that Curtis (whom she thought was her father from birth) isn't her biological father.
And boy-oh-boy, it looks like the s-t really hits the fan next week.
To catch up or for info visit http://www.bravotv.com/Real_Housewives_Of_Atlanta/season/1/index.php

In other news: While Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman were busy plugging their new big screen epic Australia on Oprah Monday, word was hitting the Internet (www.ropeofsilicon.com) that 20th Century Fox studio execs made director Baz Luhrmann change the ending at the last minute. Of course, that was followed shortly by a statement that Baz Luhrmann has final cut and the movie is just as he wanted it. Right.
You can visit the official movie site at http://www.australiamovie.com/

SPOILER ALERT: If you don't want to know, don't read past the photo!!


It seems they weren't happy with the sad ending Luhrmann had originally filmed, which had Jackman's character dying. They didn't want a Titanic-ending (now I've just ruined Titanic for you too) and insisted Baz change it to a happier one, thus having Jackman survive. And if you couldn't resist reading this, now you don't have to go see it. Tada!

The Finalists - Korto, Leanne & Kenley

Well, it's over ... and now the day after let down. Another season of Project Runway ends, and it's the last we'll see on Bravo. But what an exciting episode it was!
As predicted, Leanne Marshall was awarded the $100,000 grand prize and, as my mom put it, a nice "cheap" Saturn hybrid. But it was a close finish ... for those of you who watched, you know what I mean. My mom, sister and myself kept changing our minds throughout the show, hedging more to Korto to win ... at first we thought Korto was definitely "out" and the real competition would be between Kenley and Leanne. However, early on, continuing her signature snarkiness, Kenley got into a riff with mentor Tim Gunn over her collection ... that's a PR no-no! Even Korto went against Gunn initially and was going to show her wedding dress again. She changed her mind later, and redesigned her bridesmaid's gown instead.
Leanne wasn't satisfied with her pants, but Gunn urged her to leave them in the show anyway. Smart Leanne listened ... and the judges specifically commented on how much they liked them (ALWAYS listen to Tim!).
After casting their models, consulting with hair and make-up artists, (I could've done without the dog poop on the floor though), even Korto remade two outfits in the wee hours of the morning beforehand ... it was off to the big show in Bryant Park.
And what an event it was ... everyone was there, from show owner Harvey Weinstein, to Bravo reality star Rachel Zoe. The audience also included lots of former Project Runway contestants - Christian Siriano (looking fierce, I might add), Gillian, Blaine, Daniel, Rami, Chris March and others, I can't remember them all, sorry.
Afterwards, the judging began and it got heated. While the judges on the whole liked Kenley's collection, she was chastised for looking too much like the Balenciaga collection that was shown earlier in the week. This brought a harsh reaction from Kenley, who is sick and tired of being accused of copying others' work. "No one likes to be called a copycat when they know they're a true artist!"
Korto was praised for implementing her ethnic heritage. Former Elle fashion editor Nina Garcia said her collection was "effortlessly cohesive" - always a good word from the judge's mouth. Gunn said she "hit a bullseye" and called it "sublime," while hostess Heidi Klum considered it "overworked." That's when I knew Korto had lost - "overworked" never bodes well for a contestant.
Leanne's collection received kudos at first, but was criticized for being "too much of one note," considering her theme "waves" was well executed in all her looks. Kors was afraid she would become the Queen of the Petals - "and Petals Marshall sounds like a stripper not a designer."
In the end, we all held our breath as the shows traditional ending beats ticked down till Heidi pronounced the winner - Leanne!

Leanne's flawless evening gown

Congratulations on a job well done to all - especially the producers who've achieved another great season. I only hope it continues wherever Project Runway ends up next.
Oh, by the way, for anonymous who asked about a Reunion Show - I can't find anything alluding to there being one. I guess maybe with the lawsuit between NBC and the Weinstein Co., they decided to make the finale the last show period. Bummer. And at the end of the broadcast, Bravo announced that Korto had received the Fan Favorite Award of $10,000. They usually award that during the reunion show.
In case you missed it, the 2-part finale airs again tonight beginning at 8 p.m. on Bravo.
For more info or to see screen captures of all the collections, visit http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/season/5/index.php
And just for fun, check out the Tim Gunn Talking Bobblehead, a great Xmas gift for any Project Runway fan on your list! Visit tim gun bobblehead http://projectrunway.seenon.com/detail.php?p=24069

"Make it work people!"

And don't forget to tune into Bravo tonight for another episode of PR's mentor - Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, which moves into its permanent spot at 10 p.m.

Oh, and I need to mention, as if we weren't having heart palpitations over the impending winner announcement, Bravo took a few extra minutes of commercial time to air a brief look at Baz Luhrman's upcoming epic Australia. I don't know about you, but hunky Hugh Jackman really had my blood pumping! I'm not a huge fan of ice queen Nicole Kidman, but I think I might have to put up the $10 to see this one ... for info visit http://www.australiamovie.com/

Australia

On TV tonight: At 8 p.m. on CBS, it's time to get down and dirty with those wacky castaway's on Survivor: Gabon! Tonight an overwhelming hunger and homesickness jeopardizes one castaway. Oh, and "G Sizzle" gets lost! Hope he's next to go ... for info http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/

My TV dilemma will be at 9 p.m. when CSI, Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural and Kitchen Nightmares all vy for my Nielsen rating ...Here's my plan: CSI was fantastic last week, dealing with the death of one of their own, investigator Warrick Brown ... however, tonight's episode will center around a murderous hypnotist ... I think I'll pass, maybe tape-worthy.

Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 9 pm) will center on McDreamy finding Meredith's mother's diary (oh boy, here goes, more problems for medicine's most morose couple), while Callie prepares for her first real date with Erica. How long are they going to draw out the lesbian hook-up storyline? I mean really, we get it, they like each other. Funny how everyone else on the show has no problem hoping in and out of bed with each other, but this flirt-fest has been going on since last Spring. Get over it already! As you can guess, I'll be skipping this one ...

Over on Fox, malicious chef Gordon Ramsay will unleash his fury on another failing restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares. This is one of my guiltiest pleasures. I hated this guy when Fox started airing Hell's Kitchen. Months later I caught his BBC America show (Kitchen Nightmares), same show, only filmed in Europe and came to greatly appreciate and respect this often scary man. So when Fox started an American version, I was right there for the premiere. Whether you love or hate him, you have to admit, he really knows his way around the kitchen and managing successful restaurants (according to Wikipedia, he owns 11 around the world).

However, as part of my Halloween Horror Watch, I'll be watching the CW's Supernatural at 9 p.m. Tonight's episode has demon hunter bros Sam and Dean chasing a shape-shifter, killing its victims disguised as classic movie monsters i.e. the wolfman, Dracula, the mummy, etc. Yeah, I'm definitely a horror junkie, especially every October ...

Then I'll probably switch on over to the Discovery Channel at 10 p.m. for Tornado Rampage 2008, a rehash, with lots of new footage, I hope, of all the tornadic carnage during tornado season last spring. I don't know what it is, but I just can't resist watching these amazing weather phenomena on TV - way better than seeing them in person!

For those of you not intersted in any of the above, why not tune in to HBO, which will be airing a mini-thon of the last three episodes of its vampire drama True Blood. Catch up on what people are talking about and get a little "taste" for yourself. http://www.hbo.com/trueblood/

Or you can get all teary and sentimental over on the ABC Family Channel beginning at 8 p.m. with that heart-tugging epic The Notebook. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as young star-crossed lovers in this tale told by an aging man in a nursing home to an Alzheimer's victim. Be sure to have lots of tissues on hand!



Late Night Tonight: Presidential candidate John McCain finally makes his long-due debut on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 pm). After cancelling a prior appearance, Dave has been really riding the Republican, let's hope he can make amends tonight.
Meanwhile, Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden sits down with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show (NBC, 11:35 pm).
And, Max Payne himself, Mark Wahlberg, stops by Jimmy Kimmel (ABC, 12:05 am) to chat up his latest flick, opening tomorrow.

And back to McCain ... apparently Obama supporter Jon Bon Jovi isn't too pleased with the Republican camp using his song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home." Jon recently told TMZ.com, "We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past 25 years. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'" Heart and Jackson Browne have also objected to the GOP's use of their songs.(Of course, I'm just using this as an excuse to post a hot photo of Jon, enjoy!)

Love ya Jon!

In more serious news: A huge get well soon to Gale Harold, who was involved in a serious motorcycle crash in Los Angeles earlier this week. Best known for his portrayal of Brian on Showtime's Queer As Folk, the handsome Harold is currently playing Susan's (Teri Hatcher's) love interest on Desparate Housewives. As of Wednesday, he was still listed in critical condition with a fractured shoulder, but expected to make a full recovery.

Get Well Gale

And apparently there's a backlash brewing over those DirecTV commercials featuring classic movie scenes, using one of the original stars to promote the TV service.You've seen them, Sigourney Weaver in Aliens and Robert Patrick as the T1000 from the Terminator 2 helicopter scene ...

Well, folks aren't taking too well to the latest one, featuring the famous "They're here" clip from Poltergeist (which by the way is on my Top 5 All-Time Horror Movies List).
Craig T. Nelson is the one who promotes the service from his bed, but it's the appearance of tiny Heather O'Rourke who utters the famous line that's getting everyone all bent out of shape.
O'Rourke died in 1988 at age 12 of septic shock while undergoing an operation to remove a bowel obstruction ... thus adding to the folklore of the Poltergeist Curse.
In 1982 Dominique Dunne, who played older sister Dana, was murdered by her boyfriend shortly after the film's release.
In 1985, Julian Beck, who portrayed the "bad spirit" in Poltergeist II, died of stomach cancer. It wasn't unexpected, since he had been diagnosed in 1984.
In 1987 Will Sampson, who played the "good spirit" Indian helping Nelson in Poltergeist II, died after receiving a heart-lung transplant.
However, Poltergeist's creepy psychic Tangina (Zelda Rubenstein), long-rumored dead is alive and well and still working ...

And here's a bonus -- how many of you had nightmares over this uncredited star of Poltergeist?

CREEPY CLOWN DOLL!!!