الأربعاء، 3 نوفمبر 2010

'America's Next Top Model' Exit Interview: Esther Petrack

Photo courtesy the CWWhen Esther Petrack tried out for "America's Next Top Model," she knew she'd be making waves. A Modern Orthodox Jew, she definitely got crusader-types riled up when she said she'd shun the Sabbath in favor of a modeling gig. Except, of course, that she didn't actually say that.

We caught up with the Boston-native, this week's "Top Model" reject, to chat about controversy, religion, and scoring her very own Wikipedia page.

MSN TV: You've had mixed results on the show. Were you surprised to be sent packing?

Esther Petrack: I knew it was coming. I remember talking to Jane before the elimination and telling her, "I know I'm going home. It's okay, I've had a good run, I've done some amazing things. I know I'm going home. I'll accept it now." She said other people had done worse, but I knew the bottom two would be Ann and me. So I knew it was going to be me.

Given how rough a week Ann had, did you think there was any chance she would be going home?

No. I think we all know, if Ann has a bad week, it's okay. She's got a bit of a pass, because she's had five top photos in a row. Nobody does that. It's unprecedented. She's got amazing pictures. She knew herself, she told us, "I know one week in the bottom two, I'm not going home. If it keeps happening, maybe, but not one week." I had good pictures, but my immunity wasn't that strong. Ann's was amazing. My immunity was in that I kept improving. Because I started out pretty bad, let's be honest. But I kept improving, I worked at, I really did what they said. Tyra Banks had a really successful career over two decades, so I'm going to take her advice. That's was my strength. But it wasn't enough to keep me there. I hope someone who really, really wants it wins. We all came in with different backgrounds and different ideas in our heads. For some girls, they see it for the incredible opportunity it is, and some girls just thought of it as a reality TV role, like on "The Real World" or something.

Was it hard for you to commit to doing the show, given your religious background?

It wasn't hard to commit to the show, but once I was on the show, I think that's when the religious stuff kept coming up as a storyline. It was a tiny bit hard for me to go to the show in the first place because I didn't want to disappoint the people I knew who would be disappointed. I didn't want to be that girl who has a lot but throws it all away for a reality TV moment. So I tried to make sure that what I was doing wasn't just a fun reality TV gig. It was real. I've always wanted to model and this is something that could get me where I wanted to be. And I knew I would regret for the rest of my life if I didn't do it.

With the scene where you said you'd skip the Sabbath if you got a gig, was that all in the editing? I know your mom went on the Internet to defend your honor there.

I'll be honest, we had like had like a 15 minute long conversation about Judaism and the Sabbath and working on the Sabbath and how we could work around it on the show. So I don't remember exactly where I said those words, but I don't think it was a necessarily honest portrayal of how things went down. I remember saying something like, "I want the best of both worlds." I don't remember exactly how it went down, I don't remember the context.

Did you know there's already a Wikipedia page about you?

Two things, actually. Number one, it's always been my life goal to have my own Wikipedia page. I knew the second I had a Wikipedia page about me, I'd be good enough at what I'm doing to actually deserve a Wikipedia page. And in the end, it turns out I didn't get it for being great at anything. But oh well. I'll just have to keep working so that they'll have to add all my accomplishments to it later. The other thing: the guy who actually made the Wikipedia page on me, well, I know him. He went to my high school. So I think it's partially there because of the religious controversy -- a big part of it, I'm sure -- but it's also there because the guy went to my high school.

'Survivor: Nicaragua' Exit Interview: Dr. Jill Behm

Photo courtesy CBSDr. Jill Behm knew once the switch happened, the older folks on La Flor had their work cut for them. After all, it was a five-three split, with Brenda leading the pack. And that meant her days were numbered. So she wasn't surprised to the be the castaway kicked off on "Survivor: Nicaragua" this week.

She took a break from working the emergency room in Erie, Pa., to chat with us about being a target, roughing it "Survivor"-style, and of course, Marty's stupid move with that immunity idol.

MSN TV: So on yesterday's episode, at one point during tribal council, there was a tie between you, Jane and Marty to go home. Shocker?

Jill Behm: Oh, I think it was very clear to us what was going to happen. Marty and I were trying to make any kind of inroads there. We really courted Sash, who gave us a little bit of song-and-dance, just enough to string us along and make us think we could work something out. But no, in fact, I found out it was a plot to systematically pick us off, with Tyrone and Yve and myself and Marty. Except for Jane, who apparently ingratiated herself somehow. I think the young kids bonded so well and once we were all thrown together, that's where they could really see the distinction between younger and older. If you have a tribe of all minorities or all women, and then you mix them with others, that's when you really see the difference and close the ranks. So we couldn't make any inroads or bond with those guys. It was very, very difficult. Jane made some inroads, but as they go along, she may not make the cut either. They're not getting rid of Fabio or Kelly over Jane. To be honest, we had the worst luck possible. We got stuck on the suckier tribe, and we got stuck with Jane. Had it been myself, Marty and Yve, we could have probably pulled together and done something. But Jane made it harder for Marty and I.

Marty occasionally seemed to be only out for himself. Do you think you truly had a strong alliance?

Oh yeah, 100 percent. They hadn't shown a lot of Marty and I for some reason, but we truly had an equal partnership. When we made decisions, we were completely 100% loyal to each other. We were looking out for each other. When we did things, we talked them over and came to a consensus on what was good for Marty and Jill. He even went over the whole immunity idol situation with me, and I don't think it was necessarily a stupid move. He did what he had to do. We knew we were in trouble and one of us was going home, so he came to me and said, "This is what they suggested, what do you think?" And so I told him, "Well, you might as well give Sash the idol because you might curry favor and you might get it back. And maybe they'll pick you over Jane next time. They haven't broken any promises to you yet and if you play it, then it's gone." Okay, so in retrospect, nothing really made sense there. They had him pinned against a wall either way. I still don't know that he made the wrong decision anywhere in that. But we discussed it, and he definitely told me what he planned to do. I knew I was going home at that point. Believe it or not, Sash actually came to me too and said this is what's going to happen, I knew what was going on.

Given the circumstances, do you think Marty's going home next week? I know you're rooting for him.

Oh yeah, I'm certainly rooting for him. But the previews show that next week is the merge, so that should help his situation a bit. Obviously, he's not in a great position, but the dynamics can totally change when they combine the two tribes into one. He might be able to get into a minority alliance or curry some kind of swing vote. I don't know. But if anyone can do it, Marty can. We'll see.

You're an ER doctor. Did that help you in plotting your game?

I love the show. I'm a huge fan, I've been applying since 2002. I'm a serious watcher, a real student of the game. I go way, way back with "Survivor." It was everything I thought it would be and then some. It was so much more difficult than I thought it would be, which is saying something because I'm an outdoors woman. I hunt, I race bikes, I do all of this stuff that's physical and hard. I am a student of the game. My academic background helped, and I'm fairly well-rounded as far as my life experiences. And I'd go to my dad's place, and we'd do things so I could prepare. We did "Survivor" Tuesdays -- one day would be weapons, so I'd shoot a bow and arrow or muskets. Then we'd have fire day, where I'd practice building fires. Then we had spear-fishing day, where I trained doing that. So that helped me a lot. But still, it was so much harder than I ever thought possible, unbelievably hard. The culmination of the sleep deprivation, the lack of food, the rain, and then the physical and mental games, just day in and day out. I could hack it for a 24-hour adventure, easy. But I did it for 18 days, and it brought me to my knees out there. Nicaragua was just so, so harsh. So unforgiving. But the experience of being out there, the fantastic people I met, it was just an amazing experience. I have nothing but positive things to say about it.

Would you play again?

Yes, I had the kind of game where I made colossal mistakes. Solving the puzzle and giving it to Marty, that was huge, you know? So any time things work like that, you want another shot. But I think "Survivor" is a once in a lifetime shot. So everyday for the rest of my life, I'm going to be like, "Oh, I blew it." I'd love to go back in there and really conquer the game. Because it definitely bested me.

Expect the Unexpected

Preparing for two dances for the first time each season is overwhelming. It's that week 6 hurdle that you really have to leap over, and what starts to separate the pack. I'm not sure that the audience at home--no matter how much we say it, or how much the producers show it during an episode--realize how hard this process is for the celebrities. It's hard on us pros, too, but the celebrities who sign up for this show have to be mentally and physically prepared. It's really a marathon, and when you're exhausted is when you're working enough to get those great routines on Monday nights.

I was so proud of Rick this week. Our tango was powerful and intense. I also felt that the passion that the judges keep saying is lacking in Rick was really there. You could really feel it in the audience.

The dance marathon was fun to do. We all got the chance to be a little crazier in how we presented on the dance floor, and we also got to do lifts.

As far as the elimination this week, I've learned through all of my seasons on the show to expect the unexpected. It was sad to see Audrina leave. She really had so much more to show the audience with her dancing. You have to bring your all every week and let the audience decide your fate. I really don't think Audrina deserved to go home at all.

Brandy and Max were in the number one spot again this week. They are doing really well. Brandy is improving each week, and that is what this competition is all about.

Next week Rick and I have the quickstep. For the 200th episode we're all dancing to songs that were already used on the show, and that produced some of the most memorable moments over the last 10 seasons. We're going to be judged by the contestant who originally danced to that song. It's a little daunting, but I think Rick knows how to handle all that additional pressure. He has so many NBC Championships that if there's one thing he knows--it's pressure. We also have a team dance Cha Cha that we'll be doing. We're on Team Yamaguchi.

If it weren't for you fans, Rick and I wouldn't be making it week to week in this competition. You are what really make this show and what makes DWTS so much fun.

If we can manage to get out of the rehearsal studio, I plan to meet up with some friends to celebrate Halloween this weekend. I haven't had time to go out and get a costume, so I'm planning on borrowing my DWTS costume from TV Theme week and I'm going to be a police officer.

Happy Halloween!

'Dancing With the Stars' Recap: All Tied Up

Jennifer is back on top, but Brandy's still right there with her

Posted by Kate Mulcrone Monday, November 01, 2010 8:03:17 PM
This week "DWTS" is celebrating its 200th episode in grand style!

First, former champions Kristi Yamaguchi and Apolo Ohno returned to coach this season’s contestants in the cha-cha. Team Kristi included Mark and Bristol, Rick and Cheryl and Kyle and Lacey, and so that left Jennifer and Derek, Kurt and Anna and Brandy and Maks to compete on Team Apolo.


Team Kristi’s cha-cha was a lot of fun. The choreography was pretty difficult, and Bristol had some trouble, but the routine was still a success. Team Apolo’s cha-cha, however, was the clear winner with both the crowd and the judges. It was deceptively fun-looking, but these guys were not kidding around. This was probably the most difficult group routine I’ve seen on the show, but they totally pulled it off.

Round two of this week’s competition was even crazier. The remaining stars were each assigned a great routine from the past to reprise. The original stars who performed the routines sat in as guest judges, so that’s why tonight’s scores were a little different than you might be used to seeing.

Here are all the dirty details:

Kyle Massey
Mel B.’s legendary paso doble actually ended up suiting Kyle and Lacey. Maybe every man has an angry bullfighter deep down inside? This routine was kind of a turning point for Kyle -- for the first time in the competition his technique was right up there with his performance style. Is he rallying in time?

Paso doble: 35/40
Cha-cha: 24/30
Total: 59/70

Kurt Warner
Don’t count Kurt out! He and Anna nailed Emmit Smith’s tango. His footwork was right on, though the judges took issue with his frame, and Len had some complaints about his knees. (Yes, knees.) Kurt really racked up the numbers, and we know the voters love him. Still, nobody’s safe at this stage of the competition.

Tango: 34/40
Cha-cha: 27/30
Total: 61/70

Bristol Palin
Bristol and Mark took on Kelly Osbourne’s season nine waltz after turning in a breakthrough performance last week. The dance was excellent from a technical perspective. Bristol’s footwork was as good as it has ever been, and her lines were great. She seemed a little nervous, which is too bad. I think that’s what kept this waltz in "good not great" territory. Bristol could be in trouble this week.

Waltz: 33/40
Cha-cha: 24/30
Total: 57/70

Rick Fox
Rick and Cheryl took on Helio Castroneves’s zany season five quickstep -- and they seemed to have just as much fun with it as he did. Rick looked like he was having a great time, truly relaxed, but his technique didn’t suffer at all: His footwork was excellent, his rhythm was very good and he and Cheryl were perfectly in tune with each other. This was by far Rick’s best performance to date.

Quickstep: 37/40
Cha-cha: 24/30
Total: 61/70

Brandy
Brandy and Maks took on Gilles Marini’s sexy foxtrot and the result was just amazing. Brandy was poised and yet sensual. Her steps were perfect, her lines were gorgeous, but more than that she just sold this thing. Even Len was beside himself. (And he broke out his 10 paddle for the first time all season.) This was truly a coup for Brandy.

Foxtrot: 37/40
Cha-cha: 27/30
Total: 64/70

Jennifer Grey
Jennifer’s feeling the strain of the competition at this point. She even went to the doctor for a knee injury last week, but you’d never know it watching her dance. Man, her leg extension is something else! She and Derek took on Drew Lachey’s iconic tango, and they really put their own signature on it. The routine was a little quieter somehow, but no less powerful. Jennifer’s footwork was fantastic, her rhythm was great and her intensity was really something else. What a comeback

'Dancing With the Stars' Recap: Outfoxed

Another surprising result this week, and one that I'd wager will disappoint a lot of people. Rick Fox, who has really stepped up his game over the last few weeks of competition, was eliminated.


Rick seemed just about as surprised as the rest of us. He said that the show had been a "transformational journey" for him, and mentioned how much fun it had been to share the experience with his girlfriend and daughter.

This week Rick and Cheryl reinterpreted Helio Castroneves’s zany season five quickstep. Rick’s footwork was excellent, his rhythm was very good and he and Cheryl were perfectly in tune with each other. This was by far Rick’s best performance. It shouldn’t have been his time to go.

Here’s how the remaining five contestants did this week:

Brandy
Brandy and Maks took on Gilles Marini’s sexy season eight foxtrot and might have topped the original. Brandy was poised and yet sensual. Her steps were perfect and her lines were gorgeous. Len broke out his 10 paddle for the first time all season.

Jennifer Grey
Jennifer and Derek took on Drew Lachey’s iconic season two tango. The routine was a little quieter somehow, but no less powerful. Jennifer’s footwork was fantastic, her rhythm was great and her intensity was really something else. What a comeback!

Kurt Warner
Kurt and Anna put their own spin on Emmitt Smith’s season three tango. Kurt’s footwork was great, but Len had some complaints about his knees. (Yes, knees.) What’s that about not pleasing all of the judges all of the time?

Bristol Palin
Bristol and Mark took on Kelly Osbourne’s Season 9 waltz after turning in a breakthrough performance last week. The dance was excellent from a technical perspective. Bristol’s footwork was as good as it has ever been, and her lines were great. Her nervousness kept this waltz in "good not great" territory, but it was still one of her better efforts.

Kyle Massey
Kyle and Lacey performed Mel B.’s edgy season five and the routine was kind of a turning point for Kyle. For the first time in the competition his technique was right up there with his performance style. Let’s hope he holds it together next week!

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Elevated royalties, input costs inform on Maruti Suzuki's Q2 earnings

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