Watching Rachael Ray

Today’s show was a repeat - and you can catch my original write up here! It originally aired on October 29th, 2007, right after Drew had taken over The Price is Right. And that Philly Cheesesteak Pizza STILL looks good! I seriously need to try that one!

So, let’s see what’s going on elsewhere around the blogaverse concerning Rachael Ray?

Anthony Bourdain has been nothing but consistant in calling out Rachael Ray for everything from her lack of culinary background, to reports that she’s nothing more then a bitch to fans and a hack at best in the kitchen. He’s never shied away giving his opinion on ANY cook/chef - because that’s what he does. However, he did mention that at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, that he had a surprising run in with Rachael Ray herself.

He prefaces the statement with the fact that his event was a huge success, but he felt diminished and drained by it all. Perhaps he’s not angry anymore. He admits that it shakes you to the core when people you’ve been insulting for years turn out to be decent - not just in general, but to YOU in particular.

Say’s Bourdain:

In the last three, up-is-down and down-is-up days Rocco Di Spirito bailed me out, Emeril Lagasse generously fed me, Jamie Oliver talked child rearing with me for hours. Cat Cora was civil and … drum roll please … Rachael Ray was unfailingly polite. I fear I might even have hurt her feelings. They might as well have worked me over with tire irons. I feel an utter beast this morning.

Way to go, Rachael! you’ve unsettled the beast!

In other news, this week Rachael announced her new Name Brand stock in a box. They don’t even sell her EVOO in my neck of the woods (The trials and tribulations of living in the Frozen (…or, currently, melting…) North!) so I doubt I’ll be able to find this and try it anytime soon. You can, however, buy it online at Gourmet Food Express. Her Stock-in-a-box joins her other signature items, All Italian EVOO, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, and Balsamic Drizzle. The price for the Stock in a Box - Beef or Chicken, is just $4.95, comparable with the brands I get up here in Alaska.

For those who want more Donny Osmond even after yesterday’s fun interview - check this out! He stayed behind the scenes and answered some exclusive viewer questions!

Enjoy!

What did Rachael do to get arrested? By Jesse L. Martin, even? Easy, she pretended to be taking money for seat upgrades out in the audience line. Jesse brought her down the elevator in handcuffs, and let her lose at the kitchen table as he joked “I got to arrest Rachael Ray!” and she countered with “I got to be arrested by Jesse Martin!”

She says Jesse is back, and she didn’t even have to bribe him with buffalo chicken wings this time! He says he’s horrible in the kitchen, with not one good thing he can put together. Rachael promises to talk him through a meal the next time he entertains. She says “Call me any time!” And he’s all alright - but don’t you forget and fret when I call! Deal struck!

He used to work in the same building of the show in Guiding Light. It was his first gig, and he had a small part as the first boyfriend and got mustard on the face. He laughs and says in soap operas, you never know when it’s really over? But the mustard clued him in, his stint was done.

He loves working with the cast of Law and Order, and is in his nineth year on the show. He still remembers the first day, though - totally nervous working with Merkerson and Orbach. He says he was scared to death, he pulled out a file, and his hands were visibly shaking. Sam Waterston thought it was cute that he was nervous, as everyone went “awww!”

Rachael is a self proclaimed Law and Order Junkie, and asks him about this song that he has. Apparently, the theme song has words! “Law and order is on… law and order is aaalllllwayyyys on….. always on!” Jesse is a VERY funny guy - the interview was a definite treat!

Next up, it’s a woman who’s determined to help herself! Rachael Ray is amazed at how huge the self-help section is. There’s help for things that Rachael didn’t even know it’s problems. The spent a year, sort of, with Beth, who decided she needed a plan. She put herself on a year long self help journey. One program a month, with proven experts. From getting healthy, to better parenting and relationships. She says that Men are from Mars, Women are from venus - well, it’s full of clichés. She says it would have been ironic if she ended the year as she started, but she’s definitely changed.

She had a great moth following the advice of Suze Orman, and you can read about her journey in her book, Helping me Help Myself. The one thing she really liked was The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, which is about setting goals in life.

The hardest thing for her was spending a year thinking about herself so much. She always had put her husband and kids and keeping house in front of herself, so she felt self-absorbed. But she learned that helping yourself, helps you help others. You just end up being a happier person. Of course, the funniest thing about the interview to me? Beth talks as fast, if not faster then Rachael herself! Ha!

There was one thing Beth wanted that she didn’t get too -learning how to cook, and Rachael’s on hand to help her make the perfect pork chop - Maple-Glazed with Scallioin Smashed Potatoes & Escarole.

What’s for dinner? Why something made with Rachael’s new Stock in a Box the Flavor that Rocks - Popeye Risotto with Beefy Balsamic Mushrooms.

It’s right to the action today, and Rachael should so not be wearing THAT particular style of wrap dress, as it doesn’t really show her cute little figure well. Sigh. I swear, they listened to me about the hair - why can’t they do so about the clothing?!

They’re off to surprise a staff member who’s singing Puppy Love (Badly!) at Kareoke night, and gets surprised as Donny Osmond joins in and sings it for her! Rachael joins them on stage to dance with Donny, but refuses to sing. He eventually coaxes a single note out of her, but that’s it! After the clip, he joins her at the Kitchen Table for a sitdown talk.

He teases her about not singing, and the audience chimes in to sing with him. Rachael says she only sings in the car - she has no notes! Donny, of course, starts off the rest of the interview by saying how awesome the show is, a class act with food! He says it was even better when he was startled with Robin, the makeup woman, opening her sweater - to reveal her vintage Donny and Marie t-shirt. Awww.

They talk about WOAH moments, and he talks about when Stevie Wonder was on the show. He spent a week coming up with his favorite Stevie songs, and then Marie came up and said NO! It’s all wrong! He stood up to her…. that time! He sung what he wanted him too. According to Marie, he joked, women rule! And now that he’s married for so long… she was right! He married his childhood sweetheart, and he beams about his new grandbaby - just born the day before filming - his first granddaughter after 5 sons and 1 grandson! That’s gonna be one spoiled little girl!

Donny and Marie are going to get back together for a show in Vegas. It’s already sold out 8 months in advance. She’ll even throw some dance moves on the show. “She’ll say ‘I’m a better dancer, because I was on Dancing with the Stars!’ and I’ll just say back ‘you didn’t win!’”

Rachael is completely twitterpated, and it’s kinda cute. They show a clip of Donny in the movie College Road Trip. And yes, he may be showing up to try and show Marie up on Dancing with the stars next year. He tries to convince Rachael to do it too, and she says no way. The costumes are too small for people who love food! Her real excuse, she has five jobs and not enough time.

He loves to work with Lara - but he has a problem with her! She’s taller then he is, and has to stand on a box so that he looks taller then her! No one will notice that NOW, Donny! He says he’s up for anything that’s a challenge - he never loses sight of the fact his family is number one, but other then that, he’ll try anything!

Then it’s Colby again, showing off his stint at the sleep center in an attempt to solve his snoring problem. He gets hooked up to 27 electrodes on his body, and a team of experts nearby to examine his condition at the National Sleep Center. Colby says that it’s not the sterile lab you’d expect, so it’s comfortable. Sort of.

We see a clip as Colby goes through the process with Dr. Michael Breus, a specialist in sleep disorders. They hook him up, and settles in for 6 hours of sleep. The doctor says that he simply doesn’t get into deep sleep, which is the most refreshing wake up and feel great sleep. He woke more then 20 times, but didn’t have apnea (where the throat closes and you don’t breathe). Breathing levels were good, but he does snore - a lot. The diagnosis is that his sleeping problems probably have more to do with the fact he’d broken his nose before and it affected his breathing. He’s going to look into a surgical procedure to help solve that, and Rachael, of course, is going to follow along in the process.

Then we meet Seth Bixby Daugherty, an Incredible Person. He stopped working in the swanky restaurant, in order to go to work in school cafeterias, with Real Food Initiative. He works in the St. Paul, MN, schools to take out the processed foods and replace them with healthy choices, fruits and veggies and healthier versions of old favorites. He says that simply, it’s the best decision he made in his life.

All of that, and what’s for dinner? Chicken Fajita Soup!

Monday
Donny Osmond

Just call it “puppy love” when the legendary entertainer pulls a prank on one of Rachael’s unsuspecting staff members … and Rachael is next! Then, round 2 of our “Snore No More” challenge has Colby checking in to a sleep lab, where he’ll spend the night wired up to 27 electrodes. Will that do the trick, and what can help the snorer in your house?

Tuesday
Jesse L. Martin

Just what did Rachael do to get Law & Order’s Jesse L. Martin to slap handcuffs on her, and why does he need Rachael’s help? Then, meet a woman who tried a different self-help plan every month for nearly a year … did all that help do her any good? And don’t miss Rachael’s favorite shortcut for adding big flavor to any meal.

Wednesday
Drew Carey

Now you know him as the new host of The Price Is Right, but Drew Carey is also hosting a round of “Stump the Rach!” Then, are you always late? (Rachael is and her staff gives her a hard time about it!) We’re doing a “late intervention” with a chronically late mom, and sharing four easy tips that’ll have you running on time. Plus, a groundbreaking idea for dinner: Philly cheesesteak pizza!

Thursday
Breast Implants After 40

It’s a growing trend - women over 40 getting breast implants. Why are they doing it and what are the risks? Then, what can’t the gorgeous women of Lipstick Jungle live without? Cast member Kim Raver shares the details along with the truth behind those sexy love scenes! Plus, a college grad who’s trying 52 jobs in 52 weeks, including a stop at our show.

Friday
Oprah’s Buddy Nate Berkus

The host of The Big Give drops in to help 10 Rachael Ray viewers pull off their own life-changing projects that give back to their community and a very special young woman. And it’s our first-ever kids competition as Rachael and Naked Chef Jamie Oliver lead two teams of kid cooks in a fight to the finish!

Today’s dish is all about bringing the Spa into your home with affordable technology. First up is the NuFace Facial Toning Device, which is the first at home facial toning device. It gives definite reduction in lines and sagging.

Next up, is No No Hair Removal System. It looks like an ipod, and it’s available now - ditch the shaving and waxing. Not cheap, $250 but it works everywhere.

Then it’s the Beauty Blender Sponge that is washable and contoured for the face, so it’s not a waste - it lasts for a month.

Then the special Musical Guest - Frankie Valli! Hit up that giveaway button for your chance of his Romancing the ’60s! A CD of his covering some of the best love songs of the ’60s

Next up is Bryan Cranston and he comes out and says where’s my sizzle reel? He says he was hoping there was one for himself, and so he took the liberty of making one for himself. He pops in the tape, and swears he hasn’t seen it before (Haha!) How funny is he? His reel, is hugely funny where he calls himself Legendary, in the look of a presidential ad. Afterwards, he walks out to huge applause and the standing ovation he was looking for! He jokes that it was such a shock, he had no idea what the video was about - the video that he did the voice over for, of course.

They dish about his guest appearances on Seinfeld, and loved to work with the cast. He was even in the Yadda, Yadda episode and said the reason they’re smiling so much on the show is because they were THAT close to cracking up. Many still know him from Malcolm in the Middle, and now he has a new series, Breaking Bad, where he plays a chemistry teacher with cancer who sells meth to raise cash for the family. It sounds serious, but commercials have him cavorting about in his underwear, a look that’s become a bit familiar for him - he was in his underwear all the time for Malcolm in the Middle and figured hey it’s what America wants to see!

He’s not upset about his Emmy losses either - nominated 3 times, but no win. Whatever happens, happens is his take on it, he’s just enjoying the ride.

Next up is a story very near and dear to Rachael’s heart, as we meet one of the dogs rescued from Michael Vic’s fighting bust. They’ve given the dogs a second chance, and rehabilitated them in order to find them good homes after suffering horrible abuse.

Then the final Feb Faves giveaway, with a goodie bag filled with cool stuff - a Dooney & Bourke duffle, a watch from Kenneth Cole, Sunglasses, a blue tooth headset, and the sharper image digital keychain. Hit up the giveaway button for your chance at one!

All that, and what’s for dinner? Tex-Mex Stuffed Poblanos with Manchego Sauce and Black Beans with Roasted Garlic.

If you’re one of those types who actually have salsa left in the bottom of the jar, you can stretch it into a nice salad dressing, easily! Me, I just scoop it out with another chip. (grin) You can also use it over fish, or heat it up with some chicken.

Joan Allen of Nixon, The Contender and The Crucible - and of course the three Bourne thrillers - joins Rachael at the kitchen table. She gives her a recap of the typical day and she jokes she likes to e-mail her sister with “I spent three hours kissing Daniel Day Lewis!” Such a rough job, that!

They show off some high school pictures, where she was acting even then. She’s worked with Kevin Costner, and many other leading men and is now working on a film opposite Richard Gere. The new movie out is Bonneville includes Cathy Bates and Jessica Lange as well. It’s about a road trip with three friends, and a character study of their friendship and how they grow even closer. The big hit, of course, was her Oscar Story, when she went to the show and her dress was so big it spilled out into the Isle - and Tom Cruise stepped on her dress, much to her sister’s excitement! The interview ends with the February Favorite - a $100 gift card from AMC Entertainment - hit up the giveaway button on the sidebar to enter for your chance to win!

Up next - everyone is thinking about hair loss, and today’s Human Lab has three viewers testing some of today’s remedies - one is Jim, who is going bald (and who I sorta kinda know about through a blog friend of my moms…) Jim wants his hairline back with the HairMax Laser Comb that claims to grow more hair. Antoinette has plucked her brows so long that they’ve quit growing, so is trying the Talika Lipocils Eyebrow Conditioning Gel that says it will stimulate growth. Corinne is hoping for thicker eyelashes with DermaQuest DermaLash.

Dr. Phillips is on hand to answer questions and if there’s any general health rules people can follow to inspire hair growth. A healthy, well-balanced diet and exercise matters, of course but if you notice a lot of hair loss in women, get iron levels tested which will help.

But did the products work? After 6 weeks, Jim said it really worked, and after 4 weeks his mother-in-law told him his hair looked darker. Antoinette said her product worked as well, and she is thrilled with her new eyebrows - as is Corinne who also said it took a month and a half for it to make a difference, so it takes time, but it did work! Rachael tells Jim that a sexy guy is sexy hair or not, but Jim is happy with what he feels is an improvement in his hairline.

Then, it’s time for dinner: Winter Greens Pasta.

…not literally, of course, but today’s episode has us seeing the whole show interspersed with what’s happening behind the scenes, from the kitchens, to the guests to the voice overs and control room, we get it all.

It starts with Rachael declaring her hatred for the name of the show, because it takes hundreds to make it happen, but she lost that argument. She’s had a pot of coffee at home, then an iced coffee when she gets to the office, where she does the voice overs, and the producer is working with the music, and get the clips ready for when she says “watch this”.

Production meeting 90 minutes before the show, Isaboo heads off to ’school’ past the Audience checking in at 1 hour to show time as the guest, Larry the Cable Guy shows up. There’s a pause at the test kitchen where she says her food is ridiculous compared to what her cooks do for the guests. A wardrobe stop where Rachael chooses her outfit, then it’s to makeup. Not only are they working on the day’s shoot, they’re preparing for the next few shows as well. The producer talks to her through the day’s show, while another talks to the Guest and lets him know where he’s going. After that - it’s like high school, jump in and do it, no script.

Cue music, the Audience is shown to their seats, Rachael is given the 15 minute warning, then the warmup guy keeps the crowd grooving. Control room is ready, and counting down. When they hear Rachael’s walking, they know it’s time, standby, 5..4…3…2…1… and here we go! Send the Elevator!

Rachael welcomes the crowd (and us) to the inside out show, and introduces Larry the Cable Guy to the Kitchen Table. Larry’s staring in the upcoming Witless Protection, and laughs about wearing his sleeveless shirt, and how at Banana Republic he’s a medium, they even have a baby hefty section. Rachael asks him about Cable, and he says no, it’s just a name. He’s done a lot of shows, but says he’s never been so nervous as he is to be with Rachael.

He’s lost fifty pounds, because it got so bad Dipping Dots had a restraining order on him - and my favorite line of the interview “I started going to Hooters for the food!” He dishes on his co-star girlfriend, Jenny McCarthy, and how that can only happen in movies. Anytime he sees a girl with a slob, he considers her a hostage and calls the police. Ha!

Another back scenes look as they talk, as the Acupuncture Facial lady is welcomed and her area is set up. More chatting with Larry about his kid, and the movie, before pulling out the February Favorite, the Magellan Roadmate 1200 GPS Nav System. As we roll to commercial, we see Larry sign the fridge on his way out. Get’er Dun!

Back at the studio we see them finishing up the table, the Rachael introduces Janet Tsai, who is a licensed acupuncturist who does face lifts, then she settles to the chair to get her own. “It’s not so bad” Rachael says, as needles are placed in her face. It’s said that the needles create micro trauma to the skin, and helps the cells that produce collagen and elastin, so that it makes the skin more taught.

Backstage, we see Rachael checkin the recipe’s for the show, then the foodies head to the store to make sure that all the ingredients are available at the neighborhood grocery. They make the meal, pull some swap-outs, as Rachael says they try to do as much cooking live as possible, but due to time constraints they have to have some ready. The folks backstage test the food, and deliver it to the staff. What’s for dinner tonight? Caprese-Stuffed Meatballs with Tomato-Pesto Sauce.

And that’s a wrap, folks! Rachael heads home to get out of makeup and into her Jammies and her own kitchen.

Mornin, kids! Rachael jokes that the best part of the show is the hot guys that stop by - and she shows a clip of what a couple of them had to say about her guest - Kate Walsh. They love talking about her, and we love talking to her - Kate joins Rachael at the table for some dish about her co-stars. We get right to it with the main question - Who’s the best kisser? McDreamy, McSteamy, or Tim Daly on the new show? She says to be fair, Tim Daly has a bit of an edge because she’s made out with him before on different shows, but it’s like choosing a favorite ice cream - why? Enjoy them all!

There’s talk about the hubby, and how her mom loves him because he loves Kate - they hit it off right away. She laughs about her mom’s obsession with Christmas lists - write down exactly what you want and then she always got it wrong anyway. One year she wanted walkie-talkies, and she got a cb radio instead. On her 40th birthday this year, her husband got her a set of walkie talkies! Awwww…

Of course, they have to talk a bit about their dogs - Kate adopted Lucy, who is her inspiration for the partnership with Pedigree’s Dogs Rule campaign. Their goal is to raise awareness of dog adoption. Then they talk a bit about back in the day, before Kate hit it big, and her horror stories about earning her way at the beginning. She worked since she was 14, two of the worst included cleaning out ashtrays, and then she worked at Burger King and was fired! She got fired for having a running nose. Awww… Rachael surprises her with Bob Miller who had a special message from Burger King. They’d heard about her being fired and he officially apologizes for the misunderstanding, and to show how much they love her, they recreated her uniform, including her nametag, and framed it so she could mount it in her office. They also gave her a Crown Card, good for free Whoppers at any Burger King. Awww… She laughs and says “Awesome! Bob sent me… This is amazing!”

Next up, we see some more cool kitchens where Michael’s ideas have Kristan Cunningham speechless - from the backsplash made from wine corks that he and his wife saved, and other awesome DIY ideas. Hit up the giveaway button for his exclusive Waiscot Solutions giveaway!

Kristan shows some kitchen decorating tips for affordable decorating ideas, then it’s time to get cooking with Cider House Chicken for dinner - and let’s not forget the Febrary Favorite - Cuisinart food processors!

The show opened with a game - Celebrity Face off. Two audience members compete for lunch for two at the Palm Too as they try to decipher the face as the puzzle pieces fall into place. Neither of them can guess until the whole face is revealed, and Sarah Michelle Geller comes out to give them a hard time about it. She says she should get the lunch and win the certificates, of course - but in the end, she gives one each and they can have lunch together.

Sarah Michelle Geller spins on the Lazy Susan to sit at the Kitchen Table, and how tiny is Sarah? Gosh. They start off with talk about her nude photo shoots, for the Skin is Amazing campaign - they’re auctioning off pictures of several celebrities on ebay to raise skin disease awareness - cancer and many others.

She jokes that her hubby cooks, and she makes excellent reservations. After a break, she admits she won’t cook for her man, but will for her dog, Tyson - who weighs more then she does. He’s a therapy dog, and she takes him to hospitals to play with the kids. She is about to head overseas to be a Care Ambassador. She’s headed to Tanzania. She’s excited to be helping girls go to school, and women start business and educating the men that it’s ok for women to be involved.

Today’s February Favorite is a set of linens from West Elm Organic bedding - hit up the giveaway link to enter to win a set of your own! Then it’s Colby’s turn to be a one man Human Lab - his snoring is so bad his dog won’t even sleep the whole night with him. Colby jokes “If my dog won’t stay the night, how can I expect a woman to?” They even show clips of his snoring on The Anti-Snore Shirt, Breathe-right nasal strips, and the Snore Wizard mouth guard. Dr. Michael Breus is on hand to give his opinion on the over the counter solutions. He says they can work, for some people. With the Nasal Strips, the most important thing is placement.

Since Colby wasn’t completely helped by any of the three products, Dr. Breus has some suggestions, including going in for a sleep test, which he agrees to do, and we’ll check back in with him in a week or so and see how it’s going.

Then we’re back in the kitchen for a bit of Rachael’s Cooking Show, where Mandy Moore is on hand to learn to cook Chicken with mushroom-Dijon Gravy, and to promote UpumpItUp which is a social networking site for women to help find balance in your live and promote wellness by setting challenges for themselves. One of Mandy’s challenges for herself is to learn to cook, which is why she’s there.

And big news! You think you can cook? The So You Think You Can Cook contest is back for round two! hit up >RachaelRay.com for entry guidelines! The prizes are fantastic and you only have till March 21st to enter! Get those tapes in!

Monday
Cooking School with Mandy Moore

Rachael’s cooking school is in session and her first celebrity student is Mandy Moore! Then, Colby’s snoring is so bad that even his dog won’t sleep with him, so he’s testing out three products in our “Human Lab.” Plus, play “Celebrity Face-Off” to see which Emmy Award winner is coming by!

Tuesday
Kate Walsh

She may be married now, but wait until you see what juicy dirt we dug up on Kate Walsh! Plus, the Private Practice star answers the question every woman wants to know: Is McDreamy or McSteamy a better on-screen kisser? Then, our search for “America’s Coolest Kitchens” continues, Kristan has easy decorating tricks that can transform your kitchen, and Rachael’s cooking up one of her mom’s favorite recipes.

Wednesday
Acupuncture Facelift

Want to know what goes on behind the scenes of Rachael Ray and what a day in Rach’s life is really like? For the first time ever, our “Inside Out” show gives you an all-access backstage pass - while we’re actually taping the show! Even Larry the Cable Guy is getting in on the action, and then Rachael sits down for an acupuncture facelift live on the set!

Thursday
Joan Allen and Bottom-of-the-Jar Recipe

We’re taking this three-time Oscar® nominee back to high school, and getting the scoop on her run-in with Tom Cruise! Then, our “Human Lab” takes on hair loss, with three products that claim to help you grow back lashes, brows, and hair on your head. And, what can Rachael make with the bottom-of-the-jar salsa?

Friday
A Surprise Music Legend

They were the focus of a national controversy, and now we’ll find out what happened to the dogs who were rescued from Michael Vick’s compound, and look at the emotional battle to give them a new life. Then, why does actor Bryan Cranston keep stripping down on camera? And Lara is dishing up a music legend you won’t want to miss.

It’s Friday, and the Dish is Back! (BTW - Love, love, LOVE Rachael’s outfit today!) After two weeks without it, Lara is back from a trip to Egypt where she was part of a press trip for the movie Jumper. She even did a BSLD - A breakfast, Snack, Lunch and Dinner video for us in downtown Cairo. After a quick story of almost getting in trouble for filming the snack portion in front of the sphinx, it’s time to get to today’s dish!

Today’s dish included the Burton Sleeper Hoodie, which has pockets to hold a sleeping mask, toothbrush, keyholder and change, and an inflatable pillow on the neck AND pit zips - it’s all you need on a plane for your next long trip for $100.

The mini hot iron from Warren Tricomi - heats in 3 minutes to keep your hair smooth and lovely on the road for $90.

Sally Hershberger Hair Products - Stylist to the stars now has a mainstream line at Walgreens, all for less then $15 bucks.

Mark Jacobs T-Shirts are raising money for NYU Cancer Institute, Protect the Skin Your In - this is what Posh Spice recently posed for, and the t-shirt David Beckham has been seen sporting round town.

And, last but not least - Michael Jackson, 25th Anniversary of Thriller CD! Hit the Giveaway button on the sidebar there and enter for a chance to win back part of our childhood!

He cooks, he sings, he’s easy on the eyes, he’s a fantastic actor - he’s the complete package… Dennis Quaid is up next to join Rachael at the Kitchen Table. He does a lot of the cooking in his house, especially his specialty, Gumbo. He talked a bit about his kids - his son is an animal, and he’s already promised his daughter a pony and anything else she might want. They touched on the medical overdose that hit the news so soon after his twins were born. He thanks everyone for their thoughts and prays, and feels they had a big factor in his kids’ recovery. They will be starting a foundation to help make the public aware of what questions should be asked and how to make sure the same things don’t happen to you. (Website coming soon)

Dennis is currently staring in Vantage Point, where he plays a secret service agent, which he says is a childhood dream. Upcoming projects has him staring with Ellen Page in Smart People. Of Ellen he says “I think she’s the next Meryl Streep. She can do anything.” He loves doing all genres, because he never could keep a job for longer then 3 months without getting bored - this way he can finish a film in that time and move on to the next one. He’s also working on GI Joe too! He does joke that he winds up in the ER on most action flicks, because he’s really clumsy, not because he takes big chances.

He plays in a band, the Sharks, where he plays in bare feet because it makes him feel like he’s just jamming out in his living room. He also likes to do charity golf tournaments where they raise money in order to bring kids from their countries where they can’t get help, and treat them here in the USA.

Time for another Cool Kitchen, and KC goes down south to see a Kitchen done in the style of a 50s Diner. Doing the renovations himself, it took Randy Kohrs (who recently won a grammy!) about 3 years to complete the kitchen in Nashville. His pot rack is a bumper from his car - waste not want not! I’m a little disturbed by KC saying “Completely pimpin’” but the kitchen itself is very cool. Not to be outdone, Kristan has her own DIY for a double-duty pot racks - hers is made from an upside down coffee table!

Today’s February Favorite is the Xbox 360 and SceneIt - hit the giveaway button on the sidebar down there for a chance at your own, and then it’s a plethora of goodies for an Oscar Party - or any fun occasion. Asian Tuna Sliders, Wild Mushroom Beef Sliders, and Ritzy White Pizza.

This time, Jeff Probst gives the show intro, Survivor style! He tells of the challenges that Rachael has put him through before, and then wheels out Rachael locked into a bamboo cage! He gives her a challenge - she has bamboo sticks she has to tape together, find the key on the stump and pull it back in order to get free - and she has until the grilled cheese Sammie is done to free herself. If she doesn’t - everyone will know that America’s Favorite Cook burnt the sandwich! He agrees to flip it for her, and she’s playing for Oral B Triumph toothbrush - because a toothbrush is the number one luxury on Survivor.

She survives the challenge, with a little 5 second help from an audience member to get the key on her stick. There was a lot of laughter, and good natured trash talk by Mr. Dimples himself. (Ya’ll know I’m a Survivor Fan, right? Right…)

They call a truce, of course, and talk a bit about the show. He admits to the fact that he HAS finally learned to make fire with flint and machete, but it’s not easy at all. He used to try the challenges, but they made him quit trying all of them because he’s the only host they have and can’t be breaking anything!

They talk about Palau, where they dive and fish a lot. You can catch your fish, and then take it to a nearby restaurant where they cook it up for you in about 20 minutes. His brothers were in Palau with him -one works on the show, the other visited, and he shared pictures of some of the under water exploration they did.

When asked why on earth people would do Survivor TWICE, he said that once people get home they realize they did something they never thought they could do - caught fish, built shelter, survived. It’s a live changing experience for a lot of people in a lot of ways - so Survivors always want to do it again. (Crazy buggers!) He even says they got what they deserved having Johnny Fairplay back on the show - but he’s over it, and JFP now.

Time for an instant Human Lab - the Bra edition with Gretchen. Three different breakthrough bras are tried by audience members - one enhances cleavage, another eliminates back fat, and the third is the perfect solution for full-busted women wearing backless dresses. Hit the giveaway button to win a set of your own, the Chic Shaper, The Backless Breakthrough, and Spanks Bra-llelujah.

Then we meet a viewer who has everything Orange, and has started a Rachael Ray club, where they’re throwing a potluck. He gets the first of today’s February Favorite - an orange suitcase on wheels - hit up the giveaway button for one the chance at of your own!

Keeping up with the orange theme - what’s for dinner? BBQ Courbon Orange Chicken Skillet with Cornbread Topper.

Or something. (grin)

We start off in the kitchen, with a Brazilian Vatapa. Then Enrique Iglesias is on hand to try and Stump the Rach with some items that he says are his. Ha! There’s the Towel Holder that looks like a dog butt, a Toilet Paper Holder, an Ice Cream Scooper, and a Banana Handle.

He’s sold more then 40 million albums, and his single “Push” is on the new Step Up 2 the Streets soundtrack. They talk a bit about having a heart throb dad, and modestly says that he’s not a heart throb himself. He said it was fun growing up in Miami with his dad, and it was a complete different lifestyle then his birthplace in Madrid. He doesn’t cook, he tries to come up with an excuse, but has none. He says “Faking it can get me some?” and jokes that he’ll start trying in the kitchen when Rachael assures him he could burn everything and STILL impress the ladies.

His album Insomniac is some of the best stuff he’s written - while only sleeping about 12 hours a week. He’s also had some crazy run-ins with fans, most of which he can’t talk about on TV. Early in his career, his suitcase was empty of his own clothing, and filled with panties instead. He jokes that he didn’t notice that it was lighter, because they were BIG thongs! Ha!

Then Rachael goes out and tries the new exercise craze, Gyrotonics, which is said to be similar to being under water. She says it was really fun, like a huge jungle gym, and if you hit that give away button on the sidebar, you can enter to win a $200 gift certificate to FitCouture.Com

We check in with Cheryl Burke and get a load of what she eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then another Dancing with the Stars champ is in the kitchen with Rachael for his first ever cooking lesson - Helio Castroneves is back and helps cook up Brazillian Chicken Cutlets with Raw Tropical Sauce and a Caipirinha to go with it.

We start the show with a February Favorite today, a Fuji Bike! Hit up the Giveaway button to enter for one of your own! Then it’s time to head to the kitchen for a snack to feed to the Mystery Taster! This one is a vegetarian take on Oven-Baked Samosas with mint-Cilantro Dipping Sauce.

Time to bring down the Mystery Taster for the first round of questions. With the huge reaction of the audience, Rachael jokes that she’s grossly underdressed and should go change.

She finds out in this round that the Taster loves spicy food, that at this point they receive roses instead of giving them, and his closet in high school would have held really hip bell bottoms, and his success is rated by box office receipts.

Back in the studio, Rachael talks about the Flat Belly Diet that swears that it targets belly fat specifically. It contains four 400 calorie meals a day, that includes a mono unsaturated fatty acid that regulates blood sugar levels and insulin levels, and thus delays the return of hunger. It’s as easy as making slight changes to your diet - the Mufa’s are olives, oils, nuts & seeds, avocados and dark chocolate. Mary Anne swears by the diet, and in six months has lost 50 pounds. She says she’s struggled for decades, and is happy to have found something that works.

The importance of targeting the Belly Fat is because it creates inflammation around your organs, which causes aging, heart disease, diabetes, cancers and high blood pressure. Even small amounts can be dangerous - it’s the most deadly type of fat on the body.

Two of Rachael’s readers decided to test it themselves, putting their post-baby bellies to the test with the four-day jump start portion of the program. Heather lost two pounds, and said it was sometimes difficult to plan, but it worked. Maureen lost seven pounds in the jump start, and can’t wait to see the rest of the diet.

Rachael says she can’t cut out the carbs, and Cynthia says it’s not about cutting them out, but rather cutting back instead. It’s all about good food, keeping full and being motivated. Hit the giveaway button for a chance to win the book Flat Belly Diet!

Back to the kitchen to make the dipping sauce for the Samosas before asking some more questions of the Mystery Taster. This round of questions gives the answers that he’s all over the place with his movie genres, but is versatile, he’s sometimes mistaken for other people, and he’s got tons of lines he’s famous for, and says May the force be with you. Rachel says “Are you serious?!” and comes around the corner to find Samual L. Jackson!

He’s currently starring in the new movie, Jumper, and talks a bit about the film. He plays a sorta bad area - that chases Jumpers and kills them, but they’re not sure if the Jumpers are good or bad yet - they hope if the movie does well, they’re tackle the other two books of the trilogy too.

He loves going to work and being rough and tumble, and he loves to play guys that have agendas - good or bad. He loves to watch Hayden Christenson work, and he just enjoys kids that go to work and work well. In his house, all the adults got up and went to work every day, and that’s what adults are supposed to do. He likes that work ethic.

He says that he doesn’t get to call the shots much at home -while he was a kid, he was the only boy, and then he married and had a daughter, and it was the same thing. That’s why he likes to go to work is so he can order folks around! His wife does the cooking, and his daughter went to culinary school in New York - but doesn’t invite him over near enough. Rachael laughs and says “That was a subtle hint, Zoe, Dad wants more invites!”

Then it’s into the kitchen for Vegetable Curry for dinner!

Oy. The SCREAMING! The kids are pretty excited to be there, and my kids are jealous because in Alaska, we don’t have president’s day off of school. Hah! We get right to Bindi the Jungle Girl, who’s there with her mom. Bindi’s a little spazz and “So excited!”

She says she’s the lucky girl in the world, she’s been to America and Bali and all over, and it’s so much fun to learn about the culture and it’s amazing. She of course loves crocodiles, and snakes. She’s very much like her dad, Steve Irwin. “Crocodiles are passionate lovers, gorgeous mothers, they’re amazing!”

When talking about fears of snakes, Bindi says, “It’s not like they live under your bed. They’re more scared of us then we are of them.” HA! Not me! I’m definitely more scared of them then they are of me!

She says she’s not a celebrity, but a teacher and she’s teaching people about wildlife conservation. Rachael says she’s the most grown up little kid she’s ever met. Bindi adds that every time we lose a species of animals it’s like losing a brick from a house - eventually the house falls down. They also show off the Australian Honey that Steve was in the process of making a deal with before he died. They continued working, and the honey has his picture on it, because Steve had said it was something he felt good about endorsing. Bindi raps us out to commercial. With an Animal Conservation rap, of course.

Bindi even has her own line of clothing, and lives at the zoo. She says she’s the luckiest kid in the world and on her lunch breaks from home school, she talks to designers about her clothing - like the skirt with big pockets - big enough to carry a rat.

Then, a little girl invited Rachael to her birthday party, but Rachael didn’t go. She says she’s going to invite her party over and over again. Trinity is there with Rachael in the front row, and Rachael explains that she’s going to be working again, and asks about the plans for the party - she’s having a makeover party. Rachael gives her a little early party instead, and all the kids in the audience sing happy birthday and they present her with a cake. And gave her the Butterscotch Pony she asked for - and Rachael is off the hook for having to work. The whole audience gets the February favorite, of course - which is an mp3 video player for everyone.

Next up, from Kyle XY, Matt Dallas comes out with a Chocolate Chip Sunday for Rachael. He used to work in restaurants, and they chat a bit about that. One of the questions he gets asked the most is if he really has a belly button - because Kyle XY doesn’t have one. He does, of course. He finds it surreal that there are so many fans of him and the show. He reads all the emails, and signs what he can and he knows his fans are why he’s there, and wants to take care of them.

He finds it strange to be on the ’sexiest list’ in People, but he has no time for romance. He works all the time - his dog is his best friend. Awww….

What’s for dinner? Swedish Meatballs & Egg Noodles.