Watching Rachael Ray

Everyone knows what a DWTS junky Rachael is, and today she’s got none other then Samantha Harris, one of the hosts, to give us the inside scoop on this season. Rachael says she’s a fan of so many of the stars this season she doesn’t know who to root for. Samantha says that Pricilla Presley looks and dances amazingly, especially for her age. Adam is the ‘every man’, the guys’ guy. Samantha has something nice to say about all of the contestants, of course. There’s talk about Marlee Matlin too, as the season’s first hearing impaired contestant, and Rachael says she might have to go with her for the win.

Something you might not know, but Samantha is a floss freak - flossing while watching TV, all part of the prep that goes into looking fantastic on the red carpet at the Oscars - where she had to sew up the slit in the dress to make it a little less riske.

What would be a segment with a new mom with some dishing about the itty bitty? Samantha’s daughter is now 5 months old, and in discovering her daughter, Jocelyn’s smile she realized she wanted to help those less fortunate kids to enjoy their smiles too. She’s now involved in Operation Smile, an organization that repairs facial disfigurements for children around the world.

Want the look of Rachael’s kitchen? Fun and spunky and great for the kids too? Evette Rios is on the job to help a family achieve just that. Todd and Laura want a place for the whole family - she hated her boring kitchen, and Evette helps them “Rachael-ize” on a budget! Black and white checkered tile from Home Depot liven up the floor, a magnetic primer with chalkboard paint on top turns one wall into a multi-purpose delight, then small touches liven it up even farther, with purchases from HomeGoods. Don’t forget the countertops - with a secret weapon, the DVD called Countertop Transfauxmations, which teaches ways to make your countertop look brand new. Fridge magnets of the ULTIMATE style change the look and color of the boring white fridge, some graphics on the dishwasher to add color splashes, and Laura loves it - she’s ready to spread the EVOO around with abandon. Click here for some more tips from Evette.

Don’t forget to hit the giveaway button for a chance to win a set of Rachael’s pots and pans for your own kitchen!

Next up, Rachael calls on a pet therapist, Sonya Fitzpatrick who talks to animals and “hears what they’re saying back. Not verbally, but with feelings, emotions, senses, pictures and telepathically.” Okay. She tries to help three pet owners, one with a shy dog, who Sonya says is missing a friend, saw a lot of dogs coming and going as they worked with their rescue dogs, and fears she will have to leave too. Potatoes the cat is very mischievous, knocking things over, stealing jewelry and not using the litter box. Sonya says its because they use a disinfectant to clean the littler box. Last but not least, Mickey the jealous parrot doesn’t like the woman of the house much. Sonya says that parrots are like that and will often see their human as their mate and she considers Candy a rival - she suggests that she talk to her sternly, like a parent, and don’t take it personally.

(…as for me, I think this is probably the most ridiculous segment ever…)

And we end the show with a slower cooked Coq au Vin - shocking, I know!