Watching Rachael Ray

Monday
Bindi and Terri Irwin

The kids are home from school today, so we’ve got a whole show they’ll love! First, our favorite wildlife lover from down under, Bindi Irwin, comes by with her mom, and later Rachael has a dinner that even the pickiest eaters will love - and want to help make! Also, Matt Dallas of Kyle XY is bringing dessert! Then, Rachael is trying to get back in the good graces of a little girl who desperately wanted Rach at her birthday party.

Tuesday
Mystery Taster

It’s our first Mystery Taster of 2008 … and we’re starting the year off BIG! Then, could two women have the cure for belly flab? You don’t want to miss their no-exercise plan and dramatic results that can have your “muffin top” disappear for good. And, you’ve asked for more vegetarian meals so Rach is making one that the whole family will love.

Wednesday
Enrique Iglesias

We’re turning hump day into hunk day! First, international superstar and sexy sensation Enrique Iglesias tries to “Stump the Rach” … and it could get a little naughty! Then Dancing with the Stars champ Helio Castroneves gets his first-ever cooking lesson, and we’re also having breakfast, lunch and dinner with two-time champ Cheryl Burke.

Thursday
Jeff Probst

Why is Rachael trapped in a cage? Survivor host Jeff Probst is back and this time he has the upper hand! Then, it’s our first-ever “Instant Human Lab” when three audience members test three breakthrough bras … and wait until you see the results! Plus, for dinner Rachael has two surprise ingredients that’ll take your barbeque chicken to a whole new level.

Friday
Dennis Quaid

Movie star and family man Dennis Quaid opens up about his twins’ medical nightmare and how they’re doing now. Plus, a Grammy-winning guitarist gives us a peek into his kitchen for our next “Coolest Kitchen in America,” Kristan shares double-duty storage ideas, and Lara takes us out for breakfast, lunch and dinner - in Egypt!

We start off in the kitchen, where Rachael shows us how to make Chocolate Cups with Whipped Cream (pots de crème) - something perfect for date nights at home.

Then, Kate Hudson joins her at the Kitchen table, and makes a joke about her dress being tight so she has to sit up straight. She follows that up with the fact she’s a huge fan, which of course Rachael is of Kate as well. They talk about working with Mathew McConaughey on Fool’s Gold. Kate says they pick on each other all the time, they drive each other crazy, but she wins of course because women always win! She says they wouldn’t make a good real life couple, probably, they’re better as friends but she loves to work with him.

She can’t believe he’s going to be a dad, though, because he’s such a kid. But it reminds her of her own dad who’s a giant kid too. She passes on a gift for Matt’s new baby, and for Rider - a t-shirt, and a set of Rock and Roll Lullabyes.

They talk briefly about the paparazzi, of course, as it’s a running theme with all of the guests who have kids. Kate says kids should be kids, and not have to be self-conscious, ever, and that the taking pictures of the kids like that should be illegal.

She says that Fools Gold was a blast, and adventurous and they discuss their crazy sides. Rachael loves to skydive, which Kate is like “no way!” but Kate has bungie jumped, which Rachael is scared to do. Kate grew up with three brothers, so she gets her adventurous side from them. It came in handy though, when she got to smack Matthew around on the film. She’s also directed a short film with her dad in it, and longs to do some more. She loves to cook and bake and wants to be Rachael’s sidekick - she sticks around to help cook at the end of the show.

Next up, she sends undercover cameras into nail salons in the New York area - while there are some salons that go to extreme lengths to make sure that your safe and the tools and such are sanitary. Bottom line is, don’t be afraid to ask for clean tools, to be sure that the water in the pedicure bath is fresh, that everything is sanitized.

Look for the liquid sanitizer, manufactured labeled containers, disposable nail files, and if they’re using pumice stones or razors to shave during a pedicure - don’t shave your legs before getting a pedicure either, because any open skin allows for potential infection.

The February Favorite is the Journey Diamond Necklace, and Kate is back in the kitchen to help make Fish Kabobs & Couscous with Mint Pesto.

It’s the Valentine’s Day edition, and love is in the air! We start right off talking about wedding dances, and Mary Murphy is up to help judge a dance off! Wedding Dances are the current craze to out do each other on youtube. They found some that had hundreds of thousands of hits for their wedding dance video. Mary Murphy was looking for personal connection, and a sense of fun because that’s important. After the couples strut their stuff, Kimberly & Matt win a dinner for two, (hit the giveaway link for a chance at your own!), Kristin & Ron win a High-Def Camcorder, and Page & Jake won with their charismatic and fun comedic dance that won Mary’s heart. They won a five night Vacation to the Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix!

Next up, Rachael’s sending in the troops to help a single guy who finds the dating scene intimidating. Bill tends to freeze up, because he’s had a lot of bad luck when it comes to dating. The troops? Dylan, 11, has no problem dishing out dating advice to kids and adults alike. “If one of my friends in shy, I say have confidence - think your getting the girl, and it works!”

Dylan agrees to be Bill’s wingman, and help him get his mojo back. Bill is a bit surprised that this little kid was going to help him. Dylan says he’s a ladies man, and has no problem just walking up and talking to girls. They go to the mall and work the crowd a little bit and Dylan shows him how easy it is to approach women and talk to them.

Bill was impressed with how confident this 11 year old was, and it helped build his own confidence. He says he learned that adults over-analyze and over-think things. Kids have that attitude of go for it - what’s the worst that can happen? Dylan says that Bill is ready to hit the world on his own - and even found a local girl in the audience to go out with! Rachael send them out to dinner in their home town.

It’s time for a valentine’s treat in the kitchen - what’s for dinner: Chicken In a Love Nest with Asparagus Almondine.

We start off in the kitchen today, with Rachael working on a Fast Faster and Fastest meal - Surf n Turf style. Up first, the Fast - Mini Meatloaves with Tomato-Balsamic Gravy with Mac and Seafood Au Gratin.

Then, Brooke Shields joins Rachael at the kitchen table, looking fabulous as always. They talk a bit about Lipstick Jungle, which is based on the book, written by the same author of Sex and the City. It follows three strong women, and their daily life and struggles. There’s a lot of trying to be perfect. Brooke says she’s doing much better in the kitchen with her set of Rachael knives and pots - she won’t even let her hubby use them. “My pots. My knives. My Rachael!”

They dish a bit on the rehab epidemic of young starlets, and Brooke says it was different back in the day. The money and access to such things wasn’t the same. She counts herself lucky to have parents that kept her on the straight and narrow, which probably kept her more naïve then most.

She jokes about going from the 9 to 10 o’clock time slot, which of course means “more underwear!” They laugh about buying underwear that you get in an envelope instead of a bag, and suddenly they wanted to tan and work out an waxing things…

The audience members have a couple questions - the first is if there are anything new on Broadway coming up? She says she’s waiting for something she can originate, instead of coming into a cast already there. She’s ready - but not yet. Another asked if her character is based on anyone she knows? She’s not based on one in particular, but represents all of the strong women she has known in her life.

Next up, it’s Kevin from Project Runway - though he worked as stage director for Rachael’s show. He’s always had a love for clothing and fashion, but his Girlfriend talked him into auditioning. Tim Gunn says he’s fabulous, talented and he adores him. Heidi Klum says much the same.

Rachael says she wanted to wring Heidi’s little neck when he didn’t win, and Kevin laughs and says it wasn’t about winning - it’s what you make of it while you’re there. His secret weapon at the audition? He followed his mother’s advice and took them a plate of canolies. It made them laugh, and made Kevin stand out from the get go. So Rachael gave Kevin a challenge of her own - make a dress for her for Valentine’s Day that works if they go out, or if she stays home and cooks too.

He finds the challenge tricky, but he’s up to it! He went for a 40s movie star, cinched at the waist look that works with Rachael’s figure. And yes, he has a fashion ‘garbage bowl’ and she debuts the dress for the audience - and it’s very cute, and comfortable, with a little motorcycle jacket “because she’s kinda badass!” And as a bonus, she’d told him about wearing nighties on her honeymoon - and John laughed and said “who are you kidding - put your nighty on!” So he gave her some cute little bootie shorts and a t-shirt instead. He designed TWO dresses - and hit the give away button for the chance at one!

And today’s favorite - Armand de Brignac in a gold bottle! Nice!

Then we’re on to the rest of our Fast Faster and Fastest meal - Italian Surf & Turf, and Tex-Mex Surf & Turf!

We start off right away talking about face lifts without going under the knife, and all of the types that Rachael and her friends have been reading about - specifically the Lunchtime Liquid Facelift. Rand Rusher is on the show again, and describes the Liquid Facelift as filling the face back up - like a down comforter, when the stuffing falls to the bottom, and you fluff it back up. It’s done with hyloronic acid, a common molecule in the world. It hurts a little “Pretty hurts” and costs anywhere form $200-3000, depending on how much you want to fill up. Pretty cheap compared to an actual facelift. You get 6 months to a year. He does say that you shouldn’t be scared of Botox too.

Viewer Kelly, who’s 44, says she just looks tired, and has more lines on her face then she ever remembers having. She says she looks terrible and wants a lo-maintenance, non-invasive solution. She wants to look like herself, just better. She heads backstage with Rand and over the course of the show gets the liquid facelift done.

While they’re busy backstage, Weeds stare Mary Louise Parker joins Rachael at the kitchen table. They joke about the fact that it’s a nice family show… in it’s own way. She shows some pictures of Mary Louise naked with a large snake, (….EW!) and how it was kind of awkward, as it was a squeezer. Pictures of the cast as well, and how she brings the kids to the set with her.

Naturally, people stop her in the street, and ask to ‘buy a big fat one’ while she was holding a baby and a diaper bag. She simply replied “You want a graham cracker? I can’t help you otherwise.” She keeps all her awards in the closet, but it’s a big sexy closet, big enough to have a party in.

Mary Louise is also staring in The Spiderwick Chronicles. Check out the Giveaway button for the chance to win a copy of The Spiderwick Chronicles - Book One: The Field Guide. They talk a little about Brad Pitt and working with him in The Assassination of Jessie James, and the paparazzi that stalk him. Mary Louise says it’s inhumane and ruthless, and they need to protect the children. Her own instinct is to punch them, but she doesn’t want to teach her children that, so she tries to avoid them. They discuss paint guns or water pistols instead. Ha!

We get to see one of the Coolest Kitchens, which is round, built of wood and glass, in a house that resembles a treehouse. The whole house is based around a center spiral staircase and the fridge, microwaves, and a snack cupboard moves down to the pool on the ground floor, or up to the storeroom! Sure, it’s an updated dumbwaiter, but it’s pretty dang awesome!

It leads into the February Favorite of the day - The Indoor Outdoor George Forman Grill. Again, hit the giveaway button on the sidebar to get a chance to win one of your own!

Speaking of food (…what?) Sausage, Pepper & Onion Sloppy Joes is what’s for dinner, and we close out the show seeing the results of the facelift - and she looks fabulous, naturally.

Today started with a little clip of Law and Order’s Mariska Hargitay grilling Rachael about the show - it was a cute clip, and fun. Right afterwards, it’s a February Favorite give away, and the whole audience got a Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick for watching TV on your pc - hit up the giveaway button for a chance to win your own!

Then Mariska joins Rachael at the kitchen table, where Rachael is a bit of a fangirl - ok, a lot of a fangirl, but who are we to judge, I’d be that way in front of some stars too!

Turns out that Mariska isn’t a lot like Olivia at all - where Olivia is a tough cookie and very intense Mariska is a total jokester and laughing. She jokes that her friends don’t know how she got the job at all! She tells everyone that the cast is very cut up at work, and they have a lot of fun laughing between takes. It helps them deal with the serious subjects that they have to deal with on the show.

She dishes about her family life a bit, and how hard it is to watch her baby suddenly call her “mom” - (I can totally relate. Mine are dangerously close to saying “Mom, can I have the keys?”). Her husband is the cook, and even greeted her from the last trip she took with Hillary Swank with a decorated house and dinner party that he’d put together himself! Awww…

The feedback that she’s gotten from law enforcement from the show makes her happy, and gave her a reason to give something back to the community. She started the Joyful Heart Foundation for victims of sexual assault.

On a lighter note - Mariska is the voice for the new Johnson’s Baby Massage webisodes! How cute! She also sells shirts at Mariska.com - check it out!

The interview shows what we love about Rachael - it was a couple of girlfriends chatting, joking and having fun at the kitchen table. Some people hate that - I think it’s fabulous!

Then, buddy Jarod Miller is back again for a new game - Name that Noise. Not nearly as frightening as ‘touch something poisonous’ and Rachael even survived having a Sugar Glider on her back. Haha!

What’s for dinner? Weeknight Pot Roast.

Monday
Mariska Hargitay

Rachael’s week-long “Girls’ Club” kicks off with Emmy-winning star and hot mom Mariska Hargitay! Then, Jarod is back with five wild animals, and Rach has a dinner recipe that every girl needs up her sleeve!

Tuesday
Liquid Facelift

It’s a facelift that takes less than an hour and no surgery is required! Watch it from start to finish as a brave viewer tries it out backstage. Then, Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker talks about how she balances her career and being the mom of two, and Rachael’s search for the “Coolest Kitchens in America” continues.

Wednesday
Brooke Shields

Rachael’s “Girls’ Club” continues with gorgeous star Brooke Shields, who’s talking about why she’s stripping down on Lipstick Jungle, and revealing the naked truth about motherhood too! Then, Project Runway’s Kevin Christiana is dolling up Rach for Valentine’s Day, and for dinner it’s a “Fast, Faster and Fastest” romantic favorite.

Thursday
Wedding Dance Dance-Off

We’re ramping up the Valentine’s Day romance and fun with our first-ever wedding dance dance-off! So You Think You Can Dance’s Mary Murphy is doing the judging, and only one couple will dance away with the grand prize. Then, the world’s youngest dating expert helps one viewer who has lost his mojo, and Rachael’s got the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner.

Friday
Kate Hudson

Movie star mom Kate Hudson is being put to the test making tonight’s dinner … but first she’s spilling secrets about sexy co-star and dad-to-be Matthew McConaughey! Then, before you get your next mani/pedi, see the shocking results of our hidden-camera investigation.

First off: Dear Rachael - you have a set that’s predominantly orange. Please stop wearing orange. And Paisley. You blend in, and it’s frightening. Trust me on this one, kay? Kay. XOXO, Lessa.

It’s Friday, and the Dish is back! Lara looks stunning as usual, and it’s February Favorites, so Rachael starts off with her favorite pajamas from BedHead.

Other dishes - the work while you sleep makeup - Sleep in Beauty by Ramy. Looking for something for your man for Valentines day? Check out Alpha Gear for Guys. I may not be a guy - but I want that bath tray! Then there’s My Blend Beauty that you can customize for your needs in skin care. And of course, the DVD Across the Universe to enjoy after your bath and beauty while snuggled down in your new jimmies.

Next up - the one and only Ringo Starr! (My son: “Who? The Beatles? Nana’s generation? Ain’t they dead?” My mother “….did he just call me old?”) Ringo joins Rachael at the head of the kitchen table, and Rachael starts off talking about the family copy of her Beatles album that John shredded when he was little - that’s now been signed. The Liverpool 8 bracelets are totally cool - they’re USB bracelets - wear and use. Awesome.

They talk a bit about daily life, and how he does in the kitchen - he admits he makes a great potato, a nice pesto, but that’s it. He also says that his wife Barbara isn’t a cook either. He says they have a great kitchen, a big kitchen, they just don’t use it - they also split their time between homes in California, England and Monte Carlo.

The new album is a love letter to Liverpool, and Liverpool 8 “That’s my 90210, it was my address in Liverpool.” The song is a mini-autobiography of what he did, and to do so in a song they had to cover the years really quick. He’s worked with some great artists, and one highlight is being able to hit the stage with his son, Zac Starkey, on the drums. Zac is drumming with The Who, now and just finished a record with the English band, The Oasis. It’s easy to tell Ringo is proud of his son, and even more so because his “boy is working!”

They take a peek behind some of the biggest hits - Octopus Garden came from a boating trip where they were served octopus for lunch, then told a story about how octopus will take shiny objects to make a garden outside of their cave - it’s that story that birthed the song. Yellow Submarine - it’s a children’s song, but also the song of the day, the time, flower power and the like or as Ringo says “take drugs and enjoy your life.” It don’t come easy - some days it don’t and Ringo believes you have to pay your dues to play the blues. Photograph was written in Spain, and came to be as he was practicing chords on the guitar.

Next up, Animal guy, Jarod Miller, then takes a visit to the San Fancisco Zoo. She talks about the tiger attack that killed one, and injured two others. Jarod goes behind the scenes a director at the Zoo to talk about the ways they strive to keep both the animals, and the people, safe. The one thing that is inconsistent is the people - so obey the rules, folks!

After Ringo Starr returns and performs Liverpool 8 with Rachael and the audience rocking out alongside, it’s dinnertime. What’s for dinner? Eggplant Steaks Parmigiana a la Ringo.

…by the latter I mean that green dress, of course. I just don’t get people’s infatuation with paisley! To each their own, of course.

Speaking of Green, Bob Greene is back, stopping by in his giant green bus that he’s using to tour the nation for his Best Life Diet. Rachael and Bob show us around the inside of the bus, including the foods in the pantry and fridge. Bob is spending the next 5 weeks on the road inspiring people to sign up and be inspired to live healthier. They’ve already signed up over 400k people!

Bob calls her out on not exercising, and she stammers that she promised to move more - not necessarily work out. He says the first mistake people make is cutting calories and sending their metabolism into sleep mode. The first phase of the Best Life diet charges up the metabolism by adding movement - not necessarily cutting calories. The second phase is to throw out certain foods - soda and white bread. Replace them with healthier alternatives.

Your success can depend not only on you - but on your friends and family and their support. Get the people close to you on board, and avoid sabotage, whether it be conscious or no. You can signed up for The Best Life Diet at the website, of course.

We re-meet a woman who was on last year, where a lady had gotten her family and friends involved in her weight loss journey by having them all sponser a pound. Rachael sponsored a pound, and now that Pamela has reached that moment, she’s able to spend that gift certificate that Rachael had given her. She’s doing great, is looking fantastic, then got to meet a viewer who was so inspired she did the same thing.

We visit Kristan Cunningham at home to see some of her favorite things, which is gorgeous. And her hubby is kind of cute too. Be sure to hit the giveaways button down there and enter to win some Blenko Glass, one of KCs favorite things. She also loves - which can be personalized and Kartell furniture.

Now it’s time for what’s for dinner! Potato Skins three ways - yum! Ranch-Style, Broccoli & Cheddar, Turkey Bacon & Green Onion.

NOW - a section for my favorite suxters! They went NUTS over this ‘healthier version’ of stuffed potatoes. So I went to my trusty calorie counter, and if you eat one potato of any version, it’s between 350 and 400 calories. Paired with a side salad as Rachael did, it’s a meal for less then 500 calories which is perfectly acceptable for dinner in any circle. The grade for the meal is a B+, which is much better then say a D, or F. Hah. So it falls squarely in the “all things in moderation” camp.

Neener. (grin)

I know, I know - I’m running behind on the recaps! I apologize for that, it’s been a busy week for me over at Big Brother Craze and Watching Survivor. Things should start to even out though, and I might even catch a wink of sleep or two over and make sure I get these up on time from here on out. After all, the suxters are out and about, and I wouldn’t want them to want for snark material!

We start off in the kitchen today with French Bread pizzas - White and Red. Yum! This of course is relaxing in the front of the TV kind of food, other then sit down kinda meals. Of course, at my house, all meals are in the front room due to lack of dining space and my dedication to watching DVR’d episodes of RR for ya’ll. (grin)

So - Law and Order and its 80 gazillion replays and shoot off series and can we ever get enough? Rachael can’t, of course, and neither can the majority of television viewers judging by the 14 years L&O has been around. Who doesn’t know the trademark “duhDUM” sound? Anyway, Sam Waterston joins Rachael at the kitchen table, bringing a bowl of cheese since she ran out during the making of her French Bread Pizzas. She’s a huge fan, and says she’s the number one fan.

He admits to watching the offshoot series, and at times has storyline envy “How did THEY get that one!” but all and all it’s an great show to work on, of course. He loves the job, though he doesn’t know anything about Law himself. All he knows he learned from the show and playing Abraham Lincoln. People ask him for advise and he says that’s just as foolish as if they represented himself.

He dishes about his costars over the ages a bit, and even does a impression of Katharine Hepburn, who told him his Adam’s apple would distract everyone from them film. Ha! He fields a few audience questions, including how he learned not to complain about the catering on set anymore. His first acting gig was at age 6 - and he still remembers the line. And the show just may go on forever - they hope to hit 21 years and beat out Gunsmoke.

We move on to three chefs who have lost weight despite being chef’s and surrounded by temptations of all sorts at work. Jeremy, a private chef, lost 62 pounds by slashing his personal menu and most importantly, changing his attitude. “It’s easier to say no to the first beer, then the fifth!” His favorite trick is Greek Yogurt - a bit of honey and granola with fresh fruit and it’s breakfast, use it to dress up meals in a lowfat version, or eat it for dessert.

Alex, an executive chef lost 49 pounds by becoming a calorie counting. By simply modifying what she ate, she found ways to replace junk food and still feel satisfied. She loves flatbread, and takes several different kinds. She sears she can closer her eyes and turn a flatbread into a cheese doodle if you will it to be so.

Deborah is a pastry chef and lost 50 pounds by going cold turkey and forcing herself to stop tasting her creations at work, since she didn’t know how to just have one bite. To get her sweet fix, she made fruit pops at home. She brought some treats back as the weight fell off, and has learned to love all things in moderation. “Eat what you like, eat less of it, or eat it on weekends.” She feels the calories in fat free treats aren’t worth it if your craving chocolate cake. “Nothing can substitute for butter.”

And, what’s for dinner? Roasted Ratatouille Pasta. Which kinda makes me want to shake her to get her to pronounce it right, but it looked pretty yummy despite that. (grin)

Today it’s all about playing games - starting off with Meal or No Meal, Rachael’s take on the fabulous Deal or No Deal. An audience member is choosing between platters of food, looking for the $25 plate. It’s not exactly like DonD, of course, but it’s fun, none-the-less. The models in this game are, of course, lunch ladies…

…who capture the imagination of the forever irrepressible Howie Mandel! He’s there as the surprise banker (though really, who was surprised?) and loves the fact that 1 - the game is played with food because while his game is fun, Food can Change Your Life! and 2 - the lunch ladies have rubber gloves on. As a Germophobe, this makes Howie a little giddy as he says “It’s like a prostate exam and lunch all at once - Feel or No Feel!”

I adore Howie!

After winning the crowd lunch at Palm Too, Howie joins Rachael at the Kitchen table to dish a little bit. (The suxtors should note that she did NOT touch him during the segment, maintaining his personal boundaries. See? It can be done!) They dish a little on his stand up (He still performs 200 nights a year!), Bobby (Love him!) and of course the show. All hell breaks lose, really, as things with Howie tend to do - and the result is a very fun interview. He talks with pride about his kids, the show, and all things in between - including the Sit n Spin/Lazy Susan that he wishes DonD had. Haha!

Then it’s Kristan Cunningham’s Biggest Little Project to date - making over a Home Office that’s in a 5×6 closet! She does her magic, of course, and creates a workable space for the very cute older couple who run their own business from ‘in the closet’. “We were gonna come out of the closest” jokes the Mr. “But now I think we’re gonna stay in!” Hit the Giveaway button on the sidebar to enter for a $100 Staples Gift card!

What’s for dinner? Rabe-Stuffed Stromboli Bread.

Hilarity ensues immediately when Julia makes good on a promise made last season to bake a cake with Rachael. She was a little nervous about it, the whole talking and cooking at the same time throwing her for a loop, but in the end there was a beautiful Orange Bunt Cake for the entire audience! And being the month of favorite things, Julia brings with her the Screwpull, which is her favorite kitchen gadget - a super easy way to open your bottle of wine. Check out the Giveaway link on the sidebar and enter to get your own - plus the first season of The New Adventures of Old Christine!

Next, it’s time to get to see the kitchens of some of the viewers, cook kitchens all the way around - including the “Vintage Garage Sale” kitchen where everything was bought at - you guessed it, a garage sale! One has columns that they made into pull out Pantries to save space, and another is a 1950s kitchen done in pink, turquoise and yellow where many of the things there were also yard sale finds. Rachael then takes us into her small New York apartment kitchen. It’s cute, if a little dark, but definitely functional based on her Italian tiles that decorate her wall. Click here to take the tour yourself!

After snack of the day - it’s time for two of Rachael’s favorite things from her new collection: the mopine and garbage bowl.

And last but not least - what’s for dinner? Chutney & Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Smashed BLTPs.

Monday
Baking with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

The hilarious sitcom star is taking over Rachael’s kitchen and making dessert for the entire studio audience! Then, we’ve searched far and wide to find America’s Coolest Kitchens … and for the first time we’re taking you inside Rachael’s home kitchen. Plus, Rach’s February Favorites continues with your chance to win her garbage bowl, a moppine and more!

Tuesday
Meal or No Meal

It’s Rachael’s twist on the hit show Deal or No Deal and wait until you see our celebrity banker! Then, Kristan is transforming a minuscule home office into a beautiful workspace for two, and for dinner Rachael’s cooking up a toasty Italian feast.

Wednesday
Chefs’ Weight Loss Secrets

It’s a day that Law & Order fans can’t miss when one of Rach’s all-time favorites, Sam Waterston, makes his way from the courtroom to the kitchen table. Then, think you have trouble cutting calories? Find out how three chefs lost a combined total of more than 160 pounds, and get Rach’s decadent dinner that’s guilt-free.

Thursday
Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet

Oprah’s fitness guru Bob Greene brings us on the road with his “Best Life” diet and shares the slimming secrets that worked for two inspiring women! Plus, head inside Kristan’s Southern California home to see her favorite things … including one February Favorite that you can win online!

Friday
Ringo Starr

It’s a daytime exclusive with a living legend who put the beat behind the Beatles - Ringo Starr! Don’t miss his candid interview and the rare performance that brings the crowd to its feet. Plus, Rachael’s got a rock star meal for her huge rock star guest, and Jarod the animal guy looks at how zoos ensure both animal and human safety.

In other news, Tiffany contacted me a couple of days ago to be sure that you all knew of the Charity Auctions for Rachael Ray items! If you haven’t checked it out yet, and you feel getting tickets is going to be a total impossibility, AND you want to help out a good cause - then by all means, stop by CharityFolks.Com and bid on one of these three items:

– Dining at Rachael’s Kitchen Table and Enjoy 2 VIP Tickets to Her Show in New York City! Airfare and Two-Night Stay at Dream Hotel Included!

– You and a friend will attend The Rachael Ray Show and meet her afterwards!

– Throughout Rachael Ray’s second season, guests will sign this refrigerator as one giant piece of memorabilia from television history! This Big Chill Vintage Refrigerator sits on the show’s set and actually works! Stay tuned throughout this season to find out who’s signed this awesome piece.

Thanks for letting us know about the auction, Tiffany - and good luck to the bidders!

Wow - no dish today! Instead we get huge NFL players to take on each other for a Superbowl Recipe Cookoff with none other then Mario Batali as the judge! The nice thing about this is that it means a whole bunch of delicious recipes to tempt the taste buds, not only for the Superbowl, but for dinner too!

We dive right into it by introducing the NFL players that are ready take their rivalries to the kitchen for the day. New York Jets offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson makes his BLT Dip and Spicy Crab Cakes, while Atlanta Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington proudly recreates his wife’s recipe for Baby Back Ribs with a side of Creamy Corn potato Mash and former New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson serves equal sides of trash talk and Deep Fried Chicken with ‘woo!’ sauce. Ottis was confident, brandishing his two Superbowl Rings and proclaiming he had an advantage; “My food is going to be better then theirs!” Turns out, he was right and Mario Batali proclaimed his chicken the winning dish.

That’s not all Mario has up his sleeve this visit - he shows off a bit in the kitchen himself, making Fettuchine with Squash, which is found in his new book, The Celebrity Italian Table Cookbook. Five other celebrities helped to create the free cookbook (Yes, FREE!) that can be downloaded at celebrityitaliantable.com. Barilla will donate $1 to America’s Second Harvest for every copy downloaded which goes to help fund the Nation’s Food Bank Network.

Then, instead of a Dish with Lara, we go home with Gretta where she shows us her wake-up beauty routine that has her always looking so good. She cringed while watching her fresh faced beauty, but she gave us a great deal of tips and of course - the chance to win a basket of her favorite things! What’s included? Dove Cream Oil Body Wash, Dr. Dover’s Skin Effects Lightweight Moisturizing Souffle SPF 30, Schick Intuition, Trish McEvoy Eye Brightener Pencil Shell, Trish McEvoy Luxe Moisture Balm SPF 15, and Trish McEvoy Power of Makeup Resort Page.

Never one to leave us without tips - Gretta gives these ones to help pick out our own glamerous look: Shop at a makeup counter. Test the product and head home to see if you really like it before handing over the cash. Try items multiple times to see if they suit your skin - go a month before making a decision. And don’t try to do your hair and makeup right after the shower in the bathroom - the steam from your shower will make your hair take longer to dry, and ruins the makeup!

And if that weren’t enough? There’s Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese too!

Need some more last minute recipes for your Superbowl Sunday? Click here!

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And here are some specials from Watching Rachael Ray and 451 Press just for you!

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That’s right, Thursday was the first ever Talk Show filmed entirely on ice! We open to see Rachael lacing up her skates, while the Skyliners Synchronized Skaters twirled about the Pond at Byrant Park in New York City. Hockey Player Adam Granger helped Rachael down from the Zamboni and lead her on her wobbly skates over to the crowd. She joked that she grew up next to a lake, a 30 mile ice rink, and didn’t lace up her skates until a couple years ago. She hopes not to fall down much, though it’d sure be entertaining for me. haha!

By the way, The Pond at Bryant Park is always free to use!

The entire site is built of ice blocks, including the cooktop. Hubby John Cusimano joins and they show off their one trick - spinning in a circle together, and John jokes “How can you go in circles but not straight?” Without missing a beat, Rachael shoots back “because I’m wacked, honey, you know that.” He then lead her over to where the man who’d carved all the blocks of ice for the set, Scott Rella makes a quick sculpture of an ice globe with Rachael Ray on Ice already done on the bottom. Scott Rella performs with Fear No Ice! Performance Ice Sculpting and is used to having more then 2 minutes at a time - but all in all it was cheesy but fun. (grin)

John skated Rachael over to the icey living room where she was joined by Dennis Leary, currently of Rescue Me. He’s been skating all his life, and says it was hoped he’d be a millionaire hockey player which didn’t happen because he “suuuuuuuuucked!” He has a rink in his back yard, where he makes the rules so he kinda don’t suck out there. He feels it’s fair play to trip people and even the odds when playing against young 35 year olds! He also runs the Leary Firefighters Foundation, and after he teaches Rachael to make get a puck into the net, she told him if he made 10 slap shots, she and Sara Lee would give him $2k per puck to go to the foundation. He made it with ease, and even made a shot with two pucks at once to get $20k for the foundation!

Check here to bid on a Denis Leary autographed hockey puck to help support Rachael’s Yum-o! Organization.

Next up, Chad Netherland, decided to try and break his own record for ice breaking, trying to smash the most blocks with his bare hands in 60 seconds. He blows through the ice and manages to break them all in just 20 seconds! Nice!

After a visit with some furry and feathered friends from Seaworld and Busche Gardens that had a Canadian Lynx saying hello and a couple of Penguins wandering around, it’s time to check out another quicky ice sculpture over at the cooktop. Afterwards, it’s time to start cooking, and Olympic Skater Emily Hughes twirls about the ice to deliver the hotsauce to Rachael for the . Other edibles on the show included Fruit & Cheesecake Bite Skewers and Lusciously Rich Hot Chocolate.

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And here are some specials from Watching Rachael Ray and 451 Press just for you!

Create a free Smilebox scrapbook in 5 minutes. Just drag photos into amazing e-designs. Email them free.

Listen to more than 25,000 audio books programs. Choose from popular and informative categories. Join now and receive free MP3 player.

Join Disney Movie Club and Get 3 Movies for $1.99 Each! Plus Free Shipping!