Watching Rachael Ray

Love. Love. LOVE that skirt! Thumbs up, style team! It’s the season of Re-Gifting, you know, and one of the viewers takes the idea of re-gifting to a whole new level - one year he got a $4 bottle of wine, and regifted it to his buddy, a wine expert - by changing the label. AND he got away with it! Tsk tsk tsk! If that’s not enough, there’s two re-gifters in the front row. One says one person’s trash is another persons treasure. All the gifts she’s been given that she doesn’t use, she saves to re-gift. She headed a candle in her pile that she hands to her friend’s birthday dinner - and they opened it in front of the co-worker who had given it to her! It turns out, her best friend had given the candle to her co-worker, and then her co-worker gave it to HER, and she turned around and gave it back to her best friend! Kaaaaaarma! The viewer says if you re-gift - MAKE NOTES! That way you won’t get caught regifting to the person who gave it to you.

And then there’s the Rooster Lamp. Andrea says she won’t regift unless she uses something first, but she always re-gifts. Rachael is speechless. Bright it home. Use it. Then pass it on?! Oh. My. The perfect gift to give, she says as she wags her finger at them - give charity donations in a friends name instead. Ha!

Next up - it’s Mary Steenburgen, who is married to Ted Danson (Lucky woman!) and has a Holiday Movie coming up - Four Christmases. She brings a gift - but says Rachael better not regift it! Ha! It’s a beautiful throw from her store, Rooms & Gardens. Mary admits to regifting Wine, because everyone comes over bearing wine, and she can’t drink red wine, and Ted can’t drink enough of it, so she passes it on. We also have two more seasons to Curb Your Enthusiasm to look forward too, as well. Mary calls it a traffic accident waiting to happen. You bring your own wardrobe, they don’t get paid, and there’s no script. They say things like “You’re having a party. GO!” and it’s all about improvising, which she LOVES.

One of her favorite films she’s done was Stepbrothers with Will Ferrel, because she has a sense of humor like a 12 year old boy. (ME TOO!) She says Will is hysterical, but he’s really so normal and sane. He’s not ‘on’ all the time like others, he can be really quiet.. then one thing comes out and they’re all on the floor laughing. She’s got good tummy muscles from simply trying not to laugh at work. She’s a notorious giggle “I’ve ruined so many takes in my career it’s pathetic!”

She also has a line of soy candles, Nell’s Compass, which she developed to benefit Heifer International - they give people pairs of animals, and teach them to care and raise them, and then as they breed, they pass them along to others so it goes full circle.

Who discovered Mary? Jack Nicolson! She was a waitress, and was in an improve group, doing comedy for cab fare. She thought it might be what she did forever. She went to a casting meeting, and an inner voice said turn around, don’t leave… they were casting something but only famous people or gorgeous models. Mary managed to ask to see the script. She read it over, and heard a voice asking if she was waiting to see him - and it was Jack Nicholson. He called her back to read, and the rest is history. Click here for more backstage with Mary!

Check out Rach’s Yum-O! Holiday Cards too!

We stop off in the kitchen for a quicky Oven-baked Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken Nuggets, it’s time for the next guess - NASCAR champ, Jimmie Johnson! Rachel tells him he’s a sharp dressed man, and he gives his wife all the credit. Big congrats for Jimmie for the big win - the third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Title, something that hasn’t been done in 30 years. He says it hasn’t really set in just yet. It took a lot of hard work, and he has all the confidence in his team to be able to do it next year for number 4.

When asked if he’s helping decorate the new house, is he part of the process? He says that there was a process that phased him right out, because he just wasn’t much help. He’s happy with a recliner in front of a tv - and his wife hid it in “Some cabinet looking thing”. The best gift he’s ever gotten was the car that he ever wanted. And yes, he’s been pulled over for speeding. He has an excuse for it though… “I was just on the race track at 200 miles an hour and my eyes are off, I’m sorry.” It worked!

Then, Gretta is on hand with some Holiday Shopping Tips - in an advice booth, like Lucy from Peanuts. Ha! (The Dove scented water for teenage girls instead of perfume? GENIUS! I’m so using that one!)

Then it’s dinner time with Cauliflower-Chedder Soup with Ham and Spice Mustard Pinwheel Dippers.

Everyone knows that Oprah has her big giveaway show (if a little smaller this year) and this time Rach is joining the fun, with the help of the Radio City Rockettes as she gives the audience a TON of goodies! (hit the giveaway button folks to enter for your chance at some too!) She’s giving away everything but the kitchen sink today! And in the current issue - over at Rachael Ray Mag - you can enter to win some outrageous sum of 91,000 bucks worth of stuff between now and Christmas. They start right away with the Sony Milo - and Silpada Designs Jewelry, and the Radio City Rockettes DVD. The crowd goes wild - and Rach tells them to pace themselves!

While they are passing that out, an audience member gets to play a game for a prize. Amy plays Name That Voice. It’s easy - Hulk Hogan, though Amy gets it wrong. Number two is Carol Burnette - and Amy gets it correct. Kelsey Grammer is number three - and she can’t figure it out. Amy is not too good at this. She has to get this one - it’s Fran Drescher! There’s no denying that one, and Fran comes out to join them from back stage, laughing all the way!

She has arguably the most recognizable voice in television, with Rach a close second most likely. She says her parents are always being interviewed about her, did they know her voice was strange? Her mom, who has the exact same voice, says “We never knew it was funny…” Fran, at 51, “finally has a boyfriend” (she was married before), and is now a Public Deplomacy Envoy for Women’s heal issues. Sweet! She was in Europe, and she and her boyfriend fell in love on the iChat! Who knew? She’s decided to carve herself a life again it was time to make room. And she slowed down, and then it happened.

The Nanny, which was actually only on for 6 years, has never been OFF the air for 15 years, and will be moving to Nick at Night in 09. She still wears some coats and boots that she helped herself too from the set. It was her show, her baby, and even now she Tivo’s it. Fran is a uterine cancer survivor - and has the Cancer Schmancer organization where she’s raising awareness and lobbying in Washington. She was misdiagnosed herself, and if she hadn’t gone for 7 second opinions, she wouldn’t be here. Cancer Schmancer teaches that Stage 1 is the cure - and help women learn to get diagnosed early, and raise survival statistics. If you can get treated in Stage 1, you have an almost 95% chance of getting to 5 year survival rate, where at stage 4, it’s only 25%. She has been extremely busy in Washington, and admits the next step would be to become an elected official, as we need more honest, hard working people in office.

After a quick stop in the Kitchen, where Rachael shows some easy “Nibbly Bits“, Fran’s back with some Stump The Rach! Today’s fun items include a Turkey Lifter, “Batman’s jock strap?” asks Rach, and Fran says “Batman is really well endowed!” Next up is an Ornament Hanging Kit to help you reach the top of the tree, and Rachael drops the ornament on demonstration. hah. Then there’s a Pie Gate - to keep the fillin in the pie for leftovers. As if anyone has that much pie left over! Last but not least - it’s an Auto Outfit - decorate your car as a reindeer. Someone had too much time on their hands for THAT one. Ha!

Giveaway time! It’s the Epson wireless printer/copier/photo printer.

Next up - time to crash the Rosie Live set! True to her word, Rachael brings goodies for everyone, it’s snack time! Ok, so it’s a buffet spread, not a few snacks, but oh yuuuuuummy, it looks fantastic. She also brought the jelly belly’s for Liza. Rosie says it’s going well, but she’s a little nervous. Alex Baldwin is gonna be by, and Rosie asks what she’s doing - and then says they have some surprised guests.. hm.. wonder who will be stopping by? (Rach, of course, makes an appearance in the final number. *L* She brings Rosie the Bird.)

Giveaway time! Aveno Skin Care basket, and the Dirt Devil Kruz. Then, in the kitchen - it’s the Rachael Ray 5qt. sauce pan, and her 3 pc Gusto Grip Knife set by Furi, Rachael gifts to everyone. THEN! It’s a super easy meal made with 5 ingredients: Spiced Pork Tenderloin Wellington with Sweet Red Onion Wilted Spinach, and Pear Galette.

A couple of more gifts - The Hamilton Beach All-Mtal Stand Mixer, and the Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups. And ONE last gift - the T-Mobile G1 with service for a year.

Whew. Hit up the giveaway link to enter for your chance at all of these, and they are all linked to help if you want to go shopping too. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Rosie’s back, taking a break from rehersals, to show us how to make the ONE O’Donnell meal she knows how to make, though she warns everyone that the build up may be better then the meal. She made a string bean casserole to go with it - homestyle, you know, the beans and the cream of mushroom soup, and the fried onions on top. in fact, she recommends eating the fried onion layer, and give the mushy stuff for everyone else. I agree! *L*

So Mom taught her sister how to make spaghetti, her brother roasted chicken, and her London Broil with the secret ingredient - 7 Seas dressing (Italian dressing). Click here to watch the Broil In Action. And watching these two cook together is like watching my family in the kitchen. Grabbing and tasting and moaning and searching and running into each other- Love it!

They move to the table for a little chat, and Rosie admits to being a little nervous about the show, especially with Liza and her opening number - she’s dreamed of it all her life. Rosie says she’s gonna ask Liza to serenade her. Rosie’s gonna have her sing when Rach comes in with the snacks - and Rach has another little surprise. Does she have still have a crush on Tom? Rosie admitted last time that she has a new Tom Cruise - It’s the guy from Escape to Chimp Eden! He’s sent her a message, she’s the proud adoptive parent to a chimp - he’s honored and flattered that he’s her new Tom Cruise! Awww!

It’s Rach to the Rescue Time! Bonnie needs Thanksgiving help! She wants her family to be surprised that she managed to pull it all off. Alex Boylan pulls up with Aida MollenKamp, the food Editor of Chow.com, to help her make a homemade dinner with all the fixings - to rave reviews from her family as they have an early dinner. And, of course, another Kenmore Elite Oven is gifted as they hit the road again.

After a quick stop in the kitchen where Rach shows us how to make a simple Ice Cream Tiramisu, Rachael admits to watching the Real Housewives of (Orange County, New York, Atlanta). These ladies don’t do a lot of baking, but sure know their dough! Ha! Vicki - Orange County, Jill - New York and NeNe - Atlanta, are given a big challenge. They never know what anything costs, don’t care either, and so Rachael challenges them to put together an A-list look on a “Real! housewife budget” - just $200 and only 45 minutes!!

They even took their credit cards away for the duration. Ha! Put a stop to the cheating possibilities there, hm? They did admit that it was more like 10 hours of torture, not 45 minutes, too. Ha! They certainly give it the college try, while making little digs at the others, and themselves - and Jill calls her stylist, asking for help. Ha! They even had a blackout while they were shopping! Vicki points out, though, it’s not how much money you spend, but your attitude and how you pull it off.

They even showed the prices of their Before Looks - Vickie went from over $14,000, looking stunning at $112.93. She learned that TJ Maxx is not just for luggage - you could buy a cocktail dress there too - maybe not all the time… but. She feels good.

NeNe’s before was over $18k, and downsized looking like a cougar for sure, for $126.53. Nene doesn’t love it, but says it’s ok. Honest to a fault, that NeNe!

Jill’s before was over $64k! (her BAG was $16k! Lordy.) She went down to $184.92 - and looks just as fabulous - if a little less blingy. heh. Jill says she’d definitely wear it, it feels great, but don’t tell her husband that. Ha!

She has a surprise though, for Rachael - and as a group, they knew Rachael was going in for surgery, so brought her a gift. It’s the DVD of course, with a gorgous robe that they bought on a budget. While they’re hugging - Vicki has a wardrobe malfunction as the strap on her gown breaks - to the amusement of everyone.

After all that - it’s Dinner Time with Florentine Meatball Calzones with Creamy Tomato Dipper.

It’s the big finale for the two finalists, Donna and Madison, for Hey Can you Cook 3! And Donna wants Rachael’s boots if she loses as a consolation prize - they are pretty cute boots! Of course, before they can get started, there’s a recap of the past weeks of competition. Then, it’s time for the Thanksgiving Throwdown, for the quick challenge. First up, they have to roll out a pie crust and put it in the pan, then cover the bottom of a dish with squash chunks, and finally they have to stuff the turkey and tie it up - first one done gets the advantage for the final Cookoff.

Hey can you cook? Prove it! Madison is off and running, quickly tackling the pie crust, while Donna takes the slow and steady route - Madison gets to the second station where she starts peeling the squash - while Donna points out “Nobody said anything about baking - they just said hey can you cook!” She clears the station and races to the second station, where she tells everyone the kitchen has her name all over it. Madison admits she doesn’t even have a kitchen - but her mom taught her how to cook, so she should get it. Donna’s making up for lost time, and catching up quickly, but once again it’s Madison who gets to the Turkey Stuffing first. Donna is right behind, her, but in the end - Madison pulls it out and wins the challenge by seconds!

They move on from thanksgiving preparation to leftovers - they have 25 minutes to make a meal from leftovers - they’ll have turkey, the pantry, and featuring a trio of leftovers. Each Trio of dishes comes with an assistant - it’s the other three Hey can you cook finalists - including Marvin! Madison, as winner, gets to choose - and she decides she’ll work with Lindsay, with Potatoes, peas and roasted squash while she strategically gives Donna Marvin to work with - along with gravy, carrots and green beans.

Marvin promises not to turn any stoves off. Honest. (hahahah!)

Who’s the judge? The Naked Chef himself - Jamie Oliver! He’ll be looking for something exciting, and he’ll be taking it seriously as America can learn a lot from how to stretch the Turkey dinner all week long. Hey - can you cook? PROVE IT! They’re off… as Jamie joins Rach in the kitchen to make his Whole Roasted Cricket Ball Squash.

We check in the prep kitchen where things are whisking along - despite the “uh oh” we hear… and on stage - Rosie O’Donnall! They talk a bit about her school for Broadway Kids - where they get to have a 17 week in school program to learn everything about putting on a show, then they all get to go see a Broadway Show. Rachael has visited the school, and said it was a jaw dropper - Rosie is surprised, and Rach says that it was a surprise, a thank you for her Birthday Show that Rosie helped her with.

We see a clip of Rachael’s visit to Act 2, where they decide to help out - with a rooftop makeover. Lorie Klinger is on hand, and says she wants the kids to feel like they have a place to chll out, thier place. Kristan Cunningham is on hand to transform the barren rooftop into a welcoming area for the kids, as well as a place to hold fundraisers and charity events. It’s STUNNING - including a custum built mosic tile wall. Rosie’s stunned - and wants to move in!

They then talk a bit about the variety show on Thanksgiving Eve - Rosie Live! Rosie has always wanted to do a live variety show at night, and hopes to bring back a bit of the past in a family entertainment show. They told her Variety shows don’t work - but all the competitions shows, are just variety meets gong show! She wanted to take out the gong! And for the opening number? Liza!

So - they make a deal - Rachael wants to crash the set, and promises to bring snacks if she can sneak in. Rosie tells her if she brings food - she can get past security on ANY show she’s on - anyone can! In return, Rosie says she’ll come back and show Rach how to cook the one meal she can make. When her mother got sick, she taught each of her kids how to make one meal - because she knew she’d was dying. Rosie’s meal is the London Broil. She’ll return tomorrow to show it off!

And if we like Rosie Live - she’ll do 6 more episodes in January. She told them she wanted a special, and if it does well, then they’ll do more. Otherwise, it’s a one night deal!

Backstage - Donna and Maddison are racing around with their helpers as time runs out! Madison is sure that her strategy works, Lindsay rocked as a helper - they made a turkey mashed potatoes burger, and squash potatoes with a sweet apple desert - while Donna made a meatloaf and carrot soup, with green salad on the side. Time for Jamie to do some tasting! While he does, Rachael hits the kitchen to make Roast Turkey Breast with Citrus Pesto and Shallot Gravy.

And FINALLY it’s time to discover the winner of this years Hey Can You Cook competition! Jamie thought Madison did a good job, it was crisp and soft in the middle and it was well presented- the gravy was a bit thin though, but the apple thing was delicious. Jamie told Donna - who said Marvin was extremely supportive and helpful - Jamie thought her ingredients were tougher - but her meatloaf was wonderful, the soup was delicious, if a little too sweet. It was tough - and the winner was…. Madison!

This one is one you have to seen - no recap can have the tissue and sniffling count as high as actually watching it, so if you missed it, here you go, thanks to TVWiz2009 on youtube.

For more, you can check out the Bride Blogs and the Buddy blogs too! Also, the Surprise Wedding Singer - Wynonna Judd - as well as the reception celebration.

And what’s for dinner? Bacon and Herb Cheese Tartlets, and Spanikopita.

Wow. That’s a LOTTA pies. We start in the kitchen where there are a ton of Pumpkin Pies on the counter, to discuss mail order pies for those who don’t like to bake. Like Rachael - of course! They scoured the country for the top three favorites - and here they are:

#3 - Little Pie Company
424 W. 43rd Street & GCT Dining Concourse
New York, NY
877-872-7437
$65

#2 - Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
75700 North Ave
Armada, MI 48005
(And other locations)
586-784-4PIE
(586.784.4743)
$25.95

#1 - Sweetie Pies
520 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
707-257-8817
$27.75

If a pumkin pie cost me $65 bucks? it better come encrusted in gold. Or bacon. Ha! And if you’re like me and are just shaking your head, check out the Pumpkin desert fakeout - Pumpkin Pudding. Yum!

Next up, fresh from the 26th season of Wheel of Fortune, and holder of the world record for the most frequent clapper - Vanna White! Vanna laughs and wants to know who took the time to count everytime she clapped. I mean really! She does admit she’s turned more letters then anyone - and has a pumpkin pie tip too. When you have the last piece that no one wants? Scoop out the filling and mix it with vanilla ice cream for Pumpkin ice cream. Yum! (And everyone knows who her “Fun Nanny” was right? Jen Johnson from Big Brother 8! I do love it when my shows keep crossing over… ha!)

After a bit of conjoling - Vanna admits to being 51 years old. She eats, exercises, gets up with the kids early, goes to bed early, just does whatever one else does. Rachael says Dang - she said work out! But Vanna counters with the fact she eats too. And she brought a gift for Rachael - a picture of the puzzle from last week where Rachael was on the Wheel! Before and After: Rachael & Manta Ray.

Has she ever hit the wrong letter? Screwed up at all? And she says yes, once - she turned the wrong letter, and they had to throw the the puzzle out. “Now they light the letters up before I touch them, so it doesn’t happen again!” One time in 26 years? Pretty good record there.

What does she do in her spare time, for fun? She crochet’s, and has her own line of yarn. She learned at 5 years old from her grandmother - and half the proceeds of her yarn go to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Hit up the giveaway button for your chance at Vanna’s Beginner Crochet Starter Kit!

Does she get to keep the clothes? No. She says she could get them at a discount, probably, but “really, where would I wear those things?! I’m a simple person.” She remembers auditioning even, and that she was a nervous mess. Merv Griffin picked her, he said, because she and Pat looked like a brother/sister team, and she had a huge head. Literally. Nice.

Are her kids good eaters? They eat ANYTHING. Even fish eyes. Um. Ew.
Vanna is also one of those people who does their shopping for Christmas all year long - finishing in July. Ha! (Me, I haven’t started yet. hah.)

Did you know the Wheel weighs 4000 pounds! It’s really hard to turn, actually. They do have a mock up practice version before they actually play. Unexpected moments? Interesting wins - one guy was so excited he dropped down and kissed Pat’s feet! Watch Wheel of Fortune, as they’re giving away 5000 bucks a night to celebrate their 5000th show coming up!

Check out more Backstage with Vanna.

After a quick check in the Prep Kitchen and Rach shows how to make your own hot pockets and dipping sauce, and it’s time for a new Human Lab - Anti-Aging! Maureen, who’s 53, says that her wrinkles are taking over, while Madeline 43, can only see herself getting old in the mirror - her husband is 7 years older and people think she looks older, while Kerry, 39, is just starting to get more wrinkles. They’ve all tried numerous things, and agreed to try more for the Human Lab.

Maurine tried the Cosmetic Skin Solutions Derma Rolling System - which claims to stimulate production of collagen and improve existing wrinkles. Madeline tries Facial Magic, which is a facial muscle exercise program. Kerry tries the Platinum Red Rejuvenating Facial Light, which claims to reduce aging through medical grade red light therapy.

So - do they work?

After four weeks, Maureen says that there’s a definite difference in her laugh lines, and a big difference in the soft lines around her eyes. She feels it’s like a mini face lift without the pain. Dr. Ciraldo is on hand, and says that its a physical exfoliation that makes it work. Maureen will continue using it, and has had a big confidence boost.

Madeline says she loves the Facil Magic - she loves the way it feel,s and the results, and she looks younger. Dr. Ciraldo says that it’s as simple as toning the muscles in the face, just like we do all our other muscle groups.

While Kerry hasn’t seen a huge difference herself, her friends have commented on the changes and that excites her. She’s going to give it a couple more weeks in hopes of seeing a big change herself, then she’ll be sold.

Vanna comes back to turn some letters for us, and in doing so let’s everyone know what’s for dinner - Pumpkin Turnovers with Sherry-Shallot Warm Brussels Sprouts Slaw. (….uh. ew? Course, I am not a fan of the Brussel Sprout, so….)