Watching Rachael Ray

We start out with a game, Valentine’s Day More or Less. A viewer in the audience has never had a boyfriend on a Valentine’s day, so they’re going to give her everything she needs - but the man. Samantha is totally cute, and ame to play. It’s a bit like the Price is Right - Samantha will decide if the actual price is more or less then the price they have pictured. Not only is she playing for herself - but everyone in the audience too!

Rachael of ourse gives some very obvious clues, and the audience walks away with $100 gift certificate to 1-800-Flowers (Roses are EXPENSIVE, you know), a candle from Bridgewater Candle Company (Candles are luxurious for a VALUE), Wendy Glez lingerie and Panties and a Pink Microsoft Zune 4 GB MP3 player from Comp USA, and chocolates too!

Then it’s time for the newest Shopaholic - Isla Fisher! Being Friday the 13th, they talk a little bit about superstitions, and Isla says that she’s not much of a supersticious one, knock on wood, but she won’t go under ladders. She is looking forward to going to the movies on Valentine’s Day, which is her favorite thing to do.

Isla is very pleased with her latest role - Confessions of a Shopaholic, which combines the first two books. She loves to do the physical comedy, and is thrilled to have gotten to do so much of it in the movie..

So what was her first red carpet? She does and says it was awful - she went to the Golden Globes and was all cocky in her eautiful blue Herve Leger dress - and realized later that it had ripped right up the back and her right ‘cheek’ was exposed thanks to the small underwear she had been ‘convinced’ to wear - her friends called her “Isla Flasher” afterward! When did she know what she wanted to act? After seeing Viva Las Vegas - and realizing redheads could be on film thanks to Ann Margaret. Who makes her laugh? Tina Fey for sure, she’s brilliant, and Goldie Hawn, Anna Ferris. She got to meet Goldie - they dirty danced together! She says she acted like it was no big deal but she wanted to hug her and freak, and then she danced away, and she wanted to go after her but it was natural moment you couldn’t recreate by stalking. And she never came back, awww!

The audience stepped up to share their own Shopaholic confessions, while Isla admits that she is only a shopaholic about food and cookbooks. Amy has a shopping secret weapon - a “Bride” shirt that got her discounts everywhere and 8 months later she’s still wearing it. Erin actually froze her credit cards into a bowl in her freezer, and the next morning she fell in love with a pair of boots - and the ice didn’t last for even 24 hours!

Isla’s worst confession is that at the hardware store she’ll buy a drill or paint and she knows she’ll never use it - she’s not going to paint anything but she as visions of coveralls and painting together and still keeps trying - and buying!

It’s time for another incredible people segment and we meet 10 year old Winter Vinecki who’s a triathlete. She has been competing since she was five, but dad who was diagnosed with prostrate cancer last year, and she decided to use her talents to help him. She formed Team Winter as a part of Athletes for a Cure to help raise money to fight prostrate cancer and has raised around $100,000 or the cause. She trains with her mom, and after watching her compete in the mile swim, 25 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run, he says to have her finish is almost like he ran it himself - it brings tears to his eyes every time he sees her run.

Mom knew Winter isn’t the typical 10 year old, and knew physically she was capable of it, and who was she to say Winter was dealing with her dad’s cancer the wrong way? They both support her 100%, of course.

Next up - it’s Dinner time, and not just any dinner, it starts with a Valentine’s gift for her mom, she bakes Eclairs - which she learned how to make just for mama!

And for dinner - Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Marsala Sauce and Pasta with Strawberry-Arugula Salad.

And hubby John surprises Rach with flowers! awwwwww!

Ooooh the first guest is a biggy today! Salma Hayek - actress, producer and activist - is on the stage with Rachael to talk about everything from the biz to being a new mom. She chats about her daughter, and says that her baby is active even when she sleeps - and the night before she said she saw a ghost, and she was looking in a corner and saying au revoir, bye bye byb to get it to go away - and Salma says that she was terrified, though Salma’s name means peace and calm, though she was kicked out of school when she was 14. Is she a strict mom? She’d like to think she’s going to be, but she’s not achieving her goal. The baby is very clever even at one and manipulates her already!

She says she loves food and has to pay attention to negotiate so she gets to eat and not be a super skinny person - you watch so you don’t gain too much. She suggests you watch it a little bit, so that you can continue the love affair with food. When asked if she likes sweets or salt - she says Rach is lucky because she likes salty, because Salma likes it ALL. She ALWAYS has an appetite.

She even admits to loving PJs more then dressing up, though assures us she changes them so the baby doesn’t think she wears the same thing all the time. Dressing up is nice though, but there is a time limit for the Cinderella Fashion, because things start poking and slipping and pinching. She loves it for a minute, but PJs are comfortable forever!

Good friends with Penelope Cruz ended up with Salma having to do Kareoke at an 80s party! She jokes about having to struggle with English, and then they had her trying to do “Red Hot Chilli Pepper Language! giveitawaygiveitawaynow!” They of course chat about Salma’s stint on 30 Rock, where she got to put her hand down Alec Baldwin’s pants. “I didn’t really do it! I just imagined it, but not really did it!” What a rough day of work!

Salma’s now involved with Pampers and UNICEF to help fight tetanus in developing nations. It’s 100% preventable, but every four minutes a newborn dies of it. With Every Pampers package sold with the UNICEF logo helps pay for one woman in another country to get a vaccination against tetanus.

Then the audience gets a chance to to ask some questions - check it out!

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for Chicken Honey Mustard Biscuits, its the heartbreaking story of Matt Logelin who’s wife died 27 hours after the birth of their daughter Madeline.

Matt run a website that made it easy to update everyone on her condition, and ended up as a lifeline. She was put into the hospital, and had to have a c-section and when she got up to go see Madeline in the NICU, she felt lightheaded, and dropped from a pulminary embolism, a blood clot from her legs lodged into her lungs and it was instant. Matt was loss, and took to the blog again, turning it into a reflection of life without her.

Within months, 40k people were reading every day. Matt says e never dreamed that so many people would give him advice, good advice. He wants Madeline to have the life that Liz would have wanted for her, she’s his number one priority.

Matt and Maddie join Rachael on stage, and Maddie is ADORABLE! He says that Liz had done everything for him - he did laundry, and she did everything else, so when she died, he had to go home without her, which was devistating, and bring home a baby that weighed under 4 pounds since she was born 7 weeks early.

Matt’s story was featured in People magazine, and he created a foundation in his wife’s name to offer financial support o others facing similar circumstances, including the widowers with children that he met through his blog. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something right here, and that’s a really nice feeling.” Get more information on The Liz Logelin Foundation here.

And after everyone grabs a kitchen, it’s time for dinner! Ancho Chicken Soft Tacos, Green Rice, Pomegranate Guacamole.

How do you know a song is huge? There’s thousands of copycat videos online that people are checking out by the hundreds of thousands. Beyonce’s Single Ladies is one such song - and I should know, I’ve watched many of the copycats and recognize many of the clips in the montage they shown! So, what’s left to do? A Single Ladies Dance-Off right in the studio!

We have three of the best - and they’re not all ladies! There’s 5 elementary school teachers, 3 best friends, and one handsome gentleman. Jonner was inspired by Justin Timberlake’s SNL sketch, and he knew he could shake it! Each group will get 40 seconds, and who’s judging? Beyonce’s MOM! Tina Knowels joins them all on the stage, and says she wants to find enthusiasm and confidence - even as she admits that her girls didn’t get their talent from them. She’s tried to learn some of the Single Ladies moves herself, but… well. She just wants to see the groups bust a move!

While the groups go backstage to get ready, Tina joins Rachael at the table for a little chat where they talk about Beyonce singing at the Inauguration. Mom is most impressed that her baby girl is grounded and keeps her head. Mama designed the costumes for the video, and is thrilled that it’s started a “leotard movement.” Beyonce was shy as a child, and they put her in dance class to help her get over her shyness, and it helped her build her confidence. Tina is designer, and the lines are House of Dereon - affordable cocktail dresses, Dereon which is the younger set, and Miss Tina, that covers all ages and sizes 2-22.

Then it’s time for the dance off!

The teachers win $500 gift cart to Tracy Mathews Designs, and the trio of teens grab second and $1000 gift card - which means Joner dances away with the trophy and a $3000 gift card.

Don’t forget to check out the Tina Knowles Sound-off for more backstage.

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for the Antipasta Tostada, its time to start your engines as Jeff Gordon, 4 time NASCAR charm joins Rach at the couch! Rachael has gotten into NASCAR lately, and is thrilled with how all the drivers are gentleman, and Jeff jokes “are you sure you met ALL the drivers?” He agrees that they’re amazed with how polular their sport has grown, and they love what they do and they have the best fans.

Jeff started racing when he was 5 1/2, racing go-carts and quarter midgets, and he would practice with his mom, who was a heck of a driver and helped him practice maneuvers. He says one of the biggest adrinilin rushes ever wasn’t even on the track, but doing Saturday Night Live. He says he’s comfortable, but it’s not something he’d want to do on a daily basis.

Mom is in the audience, and Carol says that she never felt worried really, just a bit in the beginning, but she’s ok with it. She’s on hand to help share her cookbook “Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen”, co-written with another famous driver’s mother, Martha Earnhardt. Mom says that Jeff was a good eater, but never id the dishes. Jeff says his mom is a great cook, and the food in the cookbook is good and simple, and just good. They move into the kitchen with Carol and Jeff to learn a couple family favorites ( Tater Tot Casserole and Bickford’s Chicken Casserole) , and Carol admits that she has something in common with Rach - she doesn’t measure anything, either! More with Jeff Gordon backstage!

Then, as if that weren’t enough food - we also get a visit from Daisy Martinez from the Food Network’s Daisy Cooks! She stops by to cook up a spicy Choripan and reveals that Rachael has hidden talent of her show (Daisy Cooks!)’s executive producer. “This girl can text faster than Speed Racer!” Rachael laughs and admits she’s a spaz even in texting. Backstage, Daisy reveals her celebrity crush too!

After Daisy’s done - Rachael steps in to make a sloppy version of the Choripan, Sloppy Sausage and Pepper Heroes with Pickled Onions. Whew!

Rache looks cute and casual today - and I love her shirt! The style team has gone above and beyond this new year - kudos!

Today we’re talking about plastic surgery, today, and Rachael has Dr. Anthony Youn to let us all know about some of the latest tips and tricks and treatments that is out there right now. Over 12 million people went under the knife last year, and it shows no sign of stopping.

There are some new techonlogies out there - there’s a new computer program that morphs your face so you can see how you would look if you got some work done - you can even do it on the internet - you can upload your a picture, and tell it what you want and it’ll give you a projected result. Angela, an audience member gave it a try to see if it would be worth the investment to get her nose job and is amazed with the difference and how she can see you.

Next up it’s a jar of fat - yum. Not. Dr. Anthony says that fat is the most powerful thing to help us look younger. He talked about the face lifts used to be a 2d function- and people ended up tightening until they looked like they were in a wind tunnel. Now they use your own fat to fill in where the skin has deflated over the years - Rach jokes “So you can take my butt, and fill in under my eyes? Good to know it’s good for something!” Dr. Anthony shows some of his results, and then tells us that the fat actually has stem cells, which helps the skin look better.

For those who need longer lashes? Latisse is the only medically proven prescription-strenght medication you can actually put on your eyelids. Its like an eyeliner that will lengthen your eye lashes. It’s just received FDA approval and it’s expected to cost $120 a month - it’s not permanent though, and is from the makers of Botox. It’s simple to apply before you go bed, after you have taken off your makeup and such. It is available now, and within a month or two most plastic surgeons will have it, and they recommend that you use it as directed. The effect will wear off in a couple months if you don’t like it too and you revert back to normal.

Some other things that are coming up in the near future? There’s a competitor for Botox coming soon that will drive the prices down. New in breast implants - gummi bear implants which feels like a younger breast, feeling a little tighter, and it’s in the middle of FDA approval and they hope it will be available at the end of the year. And there’s a new form of liposuction coming too, there are two new machines out there, that look promising to remove fat without invasive procedures, via super powered ultrasound. three 1/2 hour treatments, and you lose 2 inches after 14 weeks and they hope it will be out by 2010.

Dr. Youn says that there are some things he doesn’t think is a good idea - permanent makeup, which is injecting dyes under your skin. You can get infections, and styles change - 80s makeup won’t work in 09! You can also get allergic reactions if it’s the wrong kind of dye, as they’re using things like printer inks! Nancy, in the audience, took a year and a half to recover have having a massive allergic reaction. While her results aren’t typical, its important to realize that there are risks with any invasive procedure, so go to a board certified surgeon and go through all the risks. Educate yourself!

After a stop in the prep kitchen for Seven Sammie Spreads, its WYNONNA! Can you believe she’s been singing for 25 years? She says she used to wake up every morning and moan ‘what do I hve to do to be number one? And now she wakes up “It’s snowing!” And he chooses to celebrate!

She says her base is country, but she’s going to go out on a limb and start over with her career and take risks because she gets to work with so many great people - it’s real, if you don’t have passion, find it. She’s so full of herself - but not arrogance, its confidence and joy. She just enjoys herself now, and has fun.

Part of her new weight loss program has nothing to do with being weighed in front of anyone, it’s without typical pressures of a diet, and she’s the new spokesperson for the diet supplement Alli.

Wynonna lets us peek in on her video diary that she keeps, where she says offstage is the challenge and it’s hard to be healthy on the road. he talks to a chef, PJ Clarke who says it’s ok to ask what you need - less butter? Ask. They’re there to accomodate you. Then he shows her how to make his Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Sunchoke Puree and Granny Smith Apples. Wynonna says that now, instead of prioritizing her schedule, she schedules her priorities.

Her number one tip? Take a nap. She says she’s slowing down, takes the texting way, and have conversation. She’s simplifying. Then she sings “I’m a woman” from her new album “Sing, chapter 1″.

Next up - dinner! Midwinter Minestrone!

Yay! I love Rabbi Shmuley! Nothing like a little Jewish Rabbi who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is! It’s time to bring the Sexy Back to your marriage. Mario and Angela feel their marriage has lost a it of it’s heat, they’ve lost the spark and they just don’t feel as sexy as they used too. They miss the passion, after five years and two kids - their sex life has been reduced to their weekly date night known as “boom boom” Friday.

There’s not a lot of privacy anymore, with the kids and different schedules, so they have to plan. She remembers walking in on her parents and would be mortified to have her kids do the same, and hubby agrees - nothing kills the mood faster then a little voice asking what they’re doing.

It’s Rabbi Shmuley with four basic tips to help everyone revolve their sex lives. He says that ironically the more connected you become, the less interested in sex that you are - it involves mystery, and you get too comfortable. 1 out of 3 couples are sexless - and the other two are like once a week or 7 minutes at a time!

Rabbi says that it’s untrue that men are the more ’sex crazed’ - as women are much more sexual, but men extinguish the heat by having bad sex. We forget the romance - romance is the promise of so much more… it slows things down and elps build desire. Sex is only 10% physical, and 90% mental. He gives a great example, in the older days, the women painted were heavier and curvacious, but now it’s all thin women because we make love with our eyes - thin is in. But when a man uses his hands - meat is neat!

Need some more tips?

Create romance in your home - it literally starts in the bedroom, which should be a private pace that is off limits to the kids. The bedroom should be Fort Knox, the children need boundaries. Boundaries in the bathroom are important too! Lust is about mystery and distance - let the husband become a peeping Tom to see your body, and turn your marriage into an affair. In an unhealthy marriage the kids come first. In a healthy marriage, the marriage comes first, and the kids learn better how to have a good relationship with their future spouse.

Bring back the eroticism, and stop making the body a purely functional thing. We tend to force ourselves into boredom. Sex is the one area where we feel completely alive, which is why it’s so important. You submit entirely to instinct.

Learn more about your spouse with an “erotic interrogation” - take a long drive and reveal deepest secrets and sexual fantasies to each other. Ask without pushing and so everyone feels comfortable and learn more about how to satisfy each other.

Try flirtatious glances - remember what it’s like to catch “the eye” from across the room - and try it. The most powerful sexual conversations are done with utter subteties with the eyes alone - one glance can be more then you can in volumes of speech.

Take a break from sex. When you’ve done the first tips, slow down. Don’t have sex for two weeks. “You have to bring out that fire in your wife. We husbands have it in our power, it all exists right here in our hands.” Then? Let go of the dar emote and push HER buttons instead!

Get the scoop backstage of what Angela and Mario think of he Rabbi’s advice! And don’t forget to check out the new book - “The Kosher Sutra” by Rabbi Shmuley.

After a stop in the prep kitchen for Hot Reuben Dip, Kevin Connolly is on hand to talk about HBO’s Entourage. Kevin says he’s gained whole new appreciation and respect for his own agents after being on the show and playing someone who manages other people’s careers. It’s a lot of pressure and their responsibility to keep you working. Was there a real E? Yup, he spent time with him and is one of the producers on the show.

If you can’t wait for the new episodes of Entourage this summer - you can see him in “He’s Just Not That Into You.” He gets to be the love interest of Scarlette Johansson, and chases her around. He says that she is smart, down to earth, and super talented - a pleasure to work with. The movie is more than a “chick flick” - it calls out both men and women on some of the things we do.

He talks a little bit about learning to cook - on his new grill. Rachael assures him he’s miles ahead of the guy who makes a reservation if he cooks for a girl - it doesn’t even matter if it’s burnt to a crisp. A guy who cooks is always sexy!

His first movie? Rocky 5! It was a huge deal, and he feels grateful to be part of it. They even show a clip and he beats up Rocky’s kid - who was actually Stallone’s son!

Anyone hungry? It’s dinner time with Chicken Parmigiano with polenta - yum!

Today we start off talking about parenting - recently they talked to concerned parents and teachers to see what they thought was best or the kids. Sometimes that parents thought was best, was actually worst… They found four involved moms, and four educators to have a frank discussion about some things that each side sees. They don’t always see eye to ye. “Many parents think that they’re parenting better than they actually are.” The mom’s watch behind a mirror, as educators discuss that somethings that parents aren’t trying to do wrong makes their jobs harder.

The mom’s were given a notepad and were told to make a mark anytime their behaviors matched what the teachers were talking about. Some of the things discussed:

Tardiness - it takes away from the group AND your child

Picking up your child while talking on the cell phone - thekids are excited to show off, and being asked to wait can deminish that - be interested, vested in your child’s day.

Clothing - if you don’t want it to get dirty, don’t dress hem in it. School is messy, and smokes aren’t fail safe.And also, orange washable paint is never washable!

Bring toys from home - it causes animosity, when they don’t want to share, or it gets broken.

Varying the routine and lingering - establish a routine - the shorter the goodbye the shorter the cry.

Pop-in visits - teachers appreciate advance notice, because you can check in, though it might not be best for the child.

Dawn took a lot of note, because things touched a nerve and the teachers say they understand because they are mom’s too. Janine, a teacher, says that it’s difficult being candid - they’re not judgmental, they’re just trying to help the child have the best experience they can.

The important thing in all of this discussion is to realize that good ideas are there, but sometimes need a little tweaking to make sure it works well with all parties - and best for the kiddo in charge. It’s a teamwork effort that’s needed and preferred.

Next up, it’s Tom Cavanagh who’s teamed up with Will and Grace’s Eric McCormack on the new show Trust Me. Trust me is about.. well, it’s a classiv western, wearing big hats - no, not really, it’s about ad men and he plays the less mature more petty rogue of the two. “It’s a jaggarnaut of tension!”

Actually they both have a little bit of ad experience, because they have done commercials, and understand a bit of the lingo. Tom does a killer Geico Gecko voice, and he’s generally a cut up and a half, and makes for a fun interview! He even bags on Eric McCormack a bit when Rach calls him hugely talented “let’s not go too far! If he keeps plugging away, something will turn his way..” But then adds that he’s amazing, but only if Rach promises not to tell him he said it.

But what does Tom know about other famous “bromances”! He’s not sure it’d be fun, but well, lookit what they’re doing - if he gets 8 out of 12… there’s a prize - they get $100 Target Cards! Tom says too bad they’re not gonna get it! He tries for 2 outa 12 instead…

And he nails 8 right out of the gate, and everyone gets rich! Whoo! He jokes and says he’s relieved as he’s ever been in his life, so everyone should watch Trust Me, as he brought it, big time.

Then there’s the Vault. Friends and Tom do the show for the Smithsonian, called Stories from the Vaults where hey go into the vaults and talk about crazy finds - like playing PONG, with the creator of the game!

It’s time for a ton-o-tips!
Before doing dishes with those sexay rubber gloves, slather on some heavy hand cream, and the heat will help moisturize your dry cracked winter hands.

Use dental floss to cut soft cheeses, or a piece of cheese cake - or slide them under the cookies to free them from the baking sheet. The thicker floss works better, and stay away from the flavored floss.

Degunk your can opener by taking a small square of wax paper to thread it through the opener, and it will celan out the food particles, and lubricate it too.

Reuse your wine corks to hold recipes or as a place card holder for dinner parties.

Use your skirt hanger to hold your cookbook up on the handle of your cupboard, clipped open to the page you need! Nice!

And another great thing? Dinner! Ultimate Patty Melts and Chopped Veggie Salad.

Today is another Human Lab day! This time they tackled Dirty Laundry - and we have some all American cowboys to help us out as they really know how o get down and dirty! They’re looking for something quick and easy that helps these professional bullriders keep their clothes clean when they’re not able to get to laundry mat.

Reese Cates wants something to help him wash his clothes on a daily basis - he tries the Wonderwash & Spin Dryer, which claims to wash a 5 pound load in just 5 minutes, and he spin dryer uses spinning, not heat.

Cord McCoy wants to smell fresh - because you can get up an sweat some. He tries the Universal Deoderizer Bag, to help freshen up his laundry fresh.

Luke Snyder wants to be starched and pressed all the time - and the little irons in the hotel rooms “sometimes don’t work very good” so he tests the Downy Wrinkle Releaser spray and try to maintain his sharp-dressed style.

Mrs. Clean Jeans is on hand to help give some tips and tricks to help with the Human Lab - and says yes, the men in her life do laundry or wear dirty clothes! But how did the products work?

Reese said the washer did a great job, and he liked it, though the Jeans are a hard deal - even the dry cleaners doesn’t get them all clean. He was impressed with the spin dryer, as it did better then a tumble dryer would in just 3 minutes.

Cord says the deoderizer bag worked, though the clothes are still dirty. IT did take the smell out of them.

Luke said that the downy spray did take the majority of the wrinkles out, it’s not as good as an iron, but it certainly does all right in a pinch.

The cowboys join the audience, and the Cord says he’s actually using his deoderizer bag this week - because in his luggage he as to put the clean clothes in with the dirty, so this’ll help to get the smell out and keep it separated. Luke said he had the best deal, as it was easy to put in his bag, and the wrinkles fell out about 10-15 minutes after spraying so it worked really well. Reese says the portable laundry system is good - but not for him since he flies so often, but it’s great for maybe use in the dorm, in an RV, for whenever you only have a few items - and it’s green.

General tips for laundry on the road - don’t forget to use the sink. It’s obvious, but you can use it and shampoo to help get rid of a stain or spot. Other stain tips - don’t approach it from the top side down, because you just rub it deeper in, so start from the inside out. Lemon juice is great for whites, meat tenderizer is great for eggs, blood, proteins.. and Rach laughs and says she’ll rub a steak all over her to try it out and tenderize her shirt, and rubbing alcohol for grass stains. For red wine - use cold water, and then if there’s a lot of it, a bit of salt, because it soaks up the liquid, then pop it in the wash.

after some double duty household tips - using the leftover dishsoap top to put on the bleach bottle so it doesn’t splatter, and put a lazy susan in your fridge for your condiments, it’s time for a 10-spot dinner, which is dinner for four that costs $9.81 from the EDRR Magazine! Today it’s Turkey Turnovers, and hello - yum!

Next up, it’s Duffy! Duffy is on stage to perform her single Stepping Stone. Duffy is actually her last name, where she wanted a name here she wanted to associate herself with, and she’s actually a twin. Her twin only sings in the shower and “not gonna lie to you, the reverb really helps her!” Who does he think is hot? Father Christmas - she has a thing for older men and he was really good to her over the holidays! hahaha! Otherwise she likes a man who is good with his hands. She’s a little nervous about the Grammy’s - for which she’s nominated for three awards, and three is her lucky number. She hasn’t written a speech, she wants to go with the flow and of course “it’s great to be nominated!”

CDs for everyone, of curse, and you can catch some more of Duffy backstage here.

And as if that isn’t enough - what’s for dinner? Welsh Rarebit Fondue. mmmmmm cheeeeeeese!

It’s the new style obsession - it’s all about Michelle Obama. What he wears, how she does her hair, etc, and everyone is talking about it - and today, her stylist joins Rachael at the sofa, to chat it up. Rahni Flowers has been Michelle’s stylist since she was 18 years old, for all the big events in her life. Rahni says that in the 28 years he’s known her, she’s always been easy to talk too and what people don’t know is she has a great sense of humor too! Rahni says it’s really important that Michelle has a hairstyle that works with her active lifestyle, and he gives her instructions on how to keep the look even when he isn’t there too help.

Was the whole Inaugural frenzy as stressful for him behind the scenes? He says yes - but he knew as much as we did until he got there to do her hair - everything was top secret, even from him! But had to be a look that would stand the time she put in through the day - from Church to the very last evening ball…

She’s beautiful “inside and out” says Rahni, before admitting it’s a bit of mind-blowing experience, having watched her life transition - in all of his other clients too. “It’s amazing!” Will he still do her hair now? Rahni and the first lady have agreed that in the current state of the economy, they won’t be flying him back and forth, so he will train someone in DC to take care of her while he comes out for the big occasions only. Awww.

Rahni gives a couple of tips - for over processed hair, deep condition. Everytime you apply heat to your head, deep condition! Can you color chemically relaxed hair? Not really - but compromise with highlights, or extension highlights.

Then, we hear from Donna, who admits that she never felt like she measured up to her sisters, like she was the ugly duckling, the frumpy one. She says her sisters always look elegant and perfect and she didn’t - and to feel as beautiful as her sisters would make her feel more a part of the family. Gretta is in house to help her out with an updated look from head-to-toe, after they chat a bit about trying to measure up to other people. Gretta and Rachael both tell Donna she’s lovely, and they don’t understand, but it doesn’t do any good until Donna believes it herself.

The sisters are in the front row, and they were shocked to find out she felt that way, because to them she is beautiful and smart and “she got all the boobs!!” Donna says she’s hearing it, but it doesn’t sink in, so G tells her Seeing is Believing and she’s off for her makeover.

Meanwhile, Rachael shows more of her American Idol Set Crash from a few months ago, and then it’s time for some Amazing Animals with Jarod! Who does he have with him? Panda he guide horse - a seeing eye PONY, Willie the Life-Saving Parrot, who started crying “Mama BABY mama BABY” when 3 year old Hanna started to choke on her breakfast. And up last, the four-legged star of Marly & Me, who has a rags to riches story of his own. He was adopted just a day before he was going to be put down, and was casted in the movie on the first meeting and was able to play Marley from ages 7-9. Awww.

And hey, how’d Donna’s makeover turn out? Amazing - naturally!

What’s for dinner? Moo Shu Noodles.

Looking for a chick flick to drag your date too on Valentine’s day? No problem - because here’s a game to help you figure out what to watch - Box Office Blender. Pictures of two stars from a famous romantic comedy, blended together - and a gift for the winner. Carla joins Rach and tries her luck at the puzzles - what will she win? A fly scooter! Jack and Rose - Leonardo Decaprio and Kate Winslet, she gets right off he bat. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Women - and she knows them, but can’t quite come up with the name, so the audience cheats for her. Ha! Number three was Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah - though she needed help with Darryl’s name. The last one is from a new movie - and it’s Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr - and hey come out from behind the screen wheeling out her new scooter!

Harry Connick Jr shows off the new scooter as Renee joins Rachael at the kitchen table to talk about the new movie, New In Town. Her favorite RomComs? Everything from Sleepless in Seattle to Wall-E. Awww. When asked about the cold in the new movie, they decided Minnesota wasn’t cold enough, so they “Upped the Ante on the Frost Bite” and went to Winnipeg, where it got down to -55 with the wind chill. (Ha. Wusses.) Of course, poor girl was wearing business suits and high heels, trying to walk in all the snow. Renee says at least the heels were like little spikes to stab into the snow. They’d have to shoot in short bursts - cameras would freeze, and the motor heat would crack the lenses, and Renee says it was really unattractive. Like when your nose is running and you don’t know it, because you’re numb… hahahah! Been there!

She talks about meeting Jimmy Carter, and she stood in line forever, and all she could say was “…hi!” then grabbed her books and went home… it was her moment, and she was starstruck! She jokes about her co-star, Harry Connick Jr. “Yeah, he’s alright.” Rach has her do a little speed round of her “kissing co-stars” When she think about kissing - what does she say?
Tom Cruise: Generous
Hugh Grant: Smart
Collin Firth: Funny - he’s funny because he’s so smart!
Russel Crow: Intense
George Clooney: Trouble! You don’t wanna be on the recieving end of his practical jokes
Harry Connick Jr: One of a kind.

It’s time for Harry to join in the convo, finally! He laughs and says “I thought you’d never shut up! I’ve been waiting to say hi for 45 minutes!” He says the cold was crazy, and he never wants to do it again! He had a beard in the movie, so the “nostricles” was nothing compared to his “beardcicles” He says people told him the beard would keep him warm - but it didn’t do crap! “this is Renee Zellweger! I’m a huge fan! And you’re talking to this woman with stalagtites from your nose?! I’m happily married, but ya wanna represent! Why not do a romantic comedy in the Bahamas?!” He complains there were no sexy stills of him shirtless and stuff - but “I don’t care who you are, you don’t look sexy in 8 layers of clothes! Then they add hand warmers, and you have BLISTERS! There’s no in between!”

Rach asked if the family came to see them on set? Says Harry “HELL NO.” These guys are so cute together! I love Harry!

About the header over the railing and the falls - Renee says she loves it, it’s like play time, while Harry says he wouldn’t wanna do it “It’s playtime until someone loses an arm!” They talk about the Tapioca fight - and Harry says it was nasty and “i was picking off Tapioca offa places I didn’t know I had!” They discovered true friendship - as there was A sink to clean up at afterward.

What’s up next? Nothin! Harry says Renee is the hardest working person he’s ever met, and Renee says it’s fun, it’s not like work. Harry asks when they’ll talk about him, again, and jokes “Nobody cares about me, it’s all about Renee and Rachael!” When asked what he’s working on again? he says “Nothin.” Haha! So cute, what a fun interview! And here’s more with Harry backstage…

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for some Chocolate-Glazed Cake Towers, we meet sixth grader Deja, who is doing her part to get kids into the kitchen, and it took her all the way to the White House! She was invited to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama as part of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, though they weren’t sure how she could pay for the chance to go - over $2000. Since she likes cooking and writing, she wrote a cookbook for kids, with help from Mom and Dad and an online printing company. Kids in the Kitchen: Deja’s Delights Cookbook sold for $15 each, and the whole family sold enough books for Deja to get to DC! She says she’ll never forget getting to watch Obama sworn in as president. She says millions of people were there, but everyone was nice, and they lifted a friend up to take pictures… her favorite memory was getting to meet Colin Powel and Al Gore, and going to the ball.

For dinner -it’s quick cooking comfort food: Creole Meatloaves with Trinity Gravy, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Rach looks uber cute and comfortable today in jeans and football jersey for today’s Superbowl Recipe Playoff! Even if she picked out the shirt because the bowl is IN Tampa, and they have cute colors there. Way to pick a side, Rach! Ha!

The big story, though, is the cookoff! And there’s nothing sexier than a man in an apron! Who’s competing?

David Garrard, the quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Diagnosed with Crones Disease in 2004, he tries to eat healthy to keep it in check - but he is determined to take down the competition with his Buffalo Chicken Dip. “You guys are going down!” He’s ready to go on the offensive too - ready to make his plays in the kitchen.

Next up, Nick Mangold is the center for the New York Jets, who started carbo loading as a third grader in order to grow big like his Football Idols. He’s stepping into the head chef position with his Super Bowl CBC - Chorizo Bacon Chili. mmmmmmm Bacon! He’s gonna win with the love in his dish, (aaawww) his chili is perfect, everyone else should just go home. His strategy? “Just bring it…”

And last but not least - RW McQuarters, Quarterback for the New York Giants, who says food has always been important o him - in the kitchen he’s the same way he is on the field - fast, and good! His entry is not the norm for Bowl Day - Grilled Salmon with honey-Soy Glaze and Grilled Asparagus. He loves to switch things up a bit. He’s even been to the show as a fan - which Rach says is another reason that Rach couldn’t judge this showdown! And of course, RW’s Superbowl Ring is gonna give him an advantage - since he knows what it takes to win.

So if Rach isn’t judging - who is? Rocco DeSpirito, of course! He tells the guys that fancy jewelry will not win this competition - it’s all about the Favor! If it doesn’t taste good, no score! When in doubt, add bacon! (That’s my Motto too!) The rules - no changing the original recipe, no sabotage (Nick pouts!) and he boys are ready and they’re off to the kitchen under Rocco’s watchful eye…

While the boys cook - it’s time to talk about Cleavage! It’s the next up in the “I can’t stand my…” series and it’s all about the bewbs! Gretta is in the house to help us out, and Rach jokes that she doesn’t have any, but never minded. “The bigger they are, well, the harder they fall!”

Jeanie feels she doesn’t have enough Cleavage - it’d look like the Grand Canyon no matter what bra she wears - there’s nothing left after 6 kids and she never leaves the house without a padded bra on and wants better cleavage to feel better about herself… and to borrow her 16 year old daughter’s shirts. Ha!

She shows off her new cleavage, bouncing out as Rachael laughs “This is DAYTIME!” And also - after 6 kids? Oh lawd… One of the fun things is an edible shimmer that tastes like honey. Yummy! The first tip though is the right bra - a maximum push-up and padded braw, then a Cleavage Contour Clip to the back of the bra. Then, wear a v-neck with ruffles to add volume and flattening her out. There’s also makeup - My Beautiful Breasts Kit by It Cosmetics - that helps enhance and contour - a powder matte to minimize, or a bright light to enhance.

Next up is Lisa, who has too much cleavage - they look like two water balloons smushed together! She wears frumpy clothing to hide it, and has a problem finding professional clothes to fit, and doesn’t make her look like she’s on a manhunt. She wants to be stylish, not frumpy, and wants way to be perky and sexy and smaller - without surgery.

Lisa shows off her cute self, with knockout gams, and cleavage under control! The first tip was that she had the wrong bra - she’s actually an FF, not a DDD, and she was wearing smaller bras trying to push herself in, which had her spilling out everywhere. Wearing the right bra made her feel better, and even helped take the pressure off her back and helped her posture too. THey used the makeup too, to help diminish the area, and the outfit - dark solid’s on top, prints on bottom to minimize.

Time to hit the kitchen with our pro footballers and their cook-off dishes! The trash talk is good natured, and funny - as David says you can eat his 5 ingredient dish the whole week it takes you to make Nick’s 30 ingredient Chili, while the glazed Salmon is a cut above the rest… so says RW.

Rocco digs in, and at the end of the show declares the winner - it’s David Garrard with his Buffalo Chicken Dip! With it’s big flavor, great presentation and broad appeal, Rocco loves it and adds “Anybody who can make five ingredients taste that good deserves to win!”

All of that - and what’s for dinner? Buffalo Stuffed Skins.

Hey - the schedule told me this was a repeat -good thing I checked anyway! It’s a brand new episode with Scott Baio, Kat Von D and more!

From Happy Days to Scott Baio is 46 and Pregnant, he’s still a pop culture icon, and continues the trend wiht his latest project, Confessions of a Teen Idol, co-produced by his friend Jason Hervey of The Wonder Years.

He joins Rachael in the kitchen with his baby girl Bailey. She is SO CUTE! Then mama takes baby back stage and Rachael and Scott have a seat at the Kitchen Table. Bailey even has her own foundation, to help kids who have metabolic disorders as she was falsely diagnosed early on. “it’s the least we can do with these families” he says of the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation.

Of his fame? He says he’s insanely lucky, and blessed to work non-stop, acting directing or producing. Would he encourage Bailey to go into the biz? He says he’d discourage it, probably, as he wouldn’t want her to go through all of that - the rejection and manipulation. His advise to those who want to get into the business? “Don’t. And if you do? Save your money.” Good advise!

Scott asks her if she wants children - and Rachael says she has her dog - she can’t imagine taking the time to be a parent. Scott gives her some advise and says she’d be an amazing mom. From a guy who thought it would be weighing to be a mom, he can’t imagine not seeing his daughter every day - it comes.. you never know where you get it from, it just happens.

And everyone loves the new show - Confessions of a Teen Idol, Teen Idols from the 80s and 90s - and Scott calls it an examination of fame. It’s the story of the guys, and American Culture, and three of the guys pop in to say hi - Christopher Atkins, Jeremy Jackson and Eric Nies. Rachael jokes “It’s an easy day at work for Mama, lemme tell ya!”

Don’t forget to check out Scott Baio’s Celebrity Soundoff!

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for Irish Nachos (yum!), it’s time to talk some tattoos. Three sisters, ages 16-21 have made a pact to get tattoos when they turn 18, while Mom and Dad are completely against it. Dad says they’re too young and it’s too permanent, while mom doesn’t want to see them walking down the aisle with tattoos anywhere! They worry that people will look down on the girls, while the girls think the stigma has eased, it’s no longer a form of rebellion.

Dad runs a motorcycle dealership and says it’s acceptable there, but not on young girls. Carrie says that it’s a generational thing - it’s not defacement, it’s expression. They all plan on doing it together when the youngest sister turns 18.

Kat Von D from LA Ink (IVE BEEN THERE!) is on hand to give some tips to consider when thinking of getting that ink, and to pimp the new book which is stunning - High Voltage Tattoo. Kat says that it’s important to find that one thing that will be good for you forever, not something you’ll grow out of. She admits that they’re constantly trying to talk people OUT of getting tattoos, because they’re rushing into it, or doing it for the wrong reason. There is still something of a stigma attached - people notice, so make sure you’re stable with your career.

More tips -
Find the right artist for you and make sure they understand your vision. See them in person - if you see a tatto you like, go ahead and ask where they got it and don’t be afraid to travel to get it.

Size and shape matter, as does placement! You don’t want to stick things on like stickers.

Watch the sun - it’s the enemy of tattoos. Use sunblock, because the sun will fade twice as fast without sunblock.

Laser removal is not an easy fix - it’s extremely painful. “It’s not fun.”

Has this changed Mom’s mind? No - Dad’s? If Kat does it, it’s ok, as long as it’s somewhere no one can see it.

Don’t forget to hit up the giveaway button down there for your chance to win a copy of Kat’s book, High Voltage Tattoo.

What’s for dinner? Bolognese with Pappardelle.

It’s cold in New York - so Rachael’s brought in someone to keep the line warm outside - Jillian Michaels! Jumping Jacks and everything, and even calling out one woman hiding in the back before they ’storm the building’! Then Jillian joins them on stage, and Rachael says she heard everyone down there, and Jillian says they’re dedicated fans, standing out there for two hours! Jillian jokes that the cold is why she lives in California - she doesn’t even miss the seasons. It works for her.

They talk about the last show, where Rach grabbed Jillian’s butt and Jillian laughs and says she’s been “crushed out” ever since, while Rach says she liked it - a very firm tucus! That aughta get the rumor mills started, hm?

New Years resolutions? Jillian says anyone can change on any day, and New Years - anytime is the right time. Go for it. Of course, most have slipped from the resolutions already, and Jillian’s on hand to help inspire with a couple of tips. First off - write it down as well as with all the reasons you want to change - it’ll inspire you, and then change your thinking. Educate yourself - if you think you are able, you will be.

Jillian says that it’s not rocket science - eat less, move more - but you have to get into those inner demons too, get to the underlying levels. Jillian admits to feeling insecure and feeling like a failure, a fraud and not being able to do it - The Biggest Loser, Season 7 has really challenged her in every single way.

Has she everbeen afraid that she’s pushed someone too far, and they might get physical? Jillian says on occasion - on the Australian show she was boxing, and she was pretty sure he really wanted to hurt her for a minute, so she decided hey! we’re done for the day! Then they put Jillian in the box at Made in LA fitness giving work out tips. From pregnancy workout tips - don’t get the heart rate up above 140, or heat up the body, wall sitting is a good workout - to keeping motivated -do something fun!

The number one question? The Plateau which Jillian says that it’s a myth. It’s fluid or metabolism adjusting, and shouldn’t last longer then a week. They might have stopped counting calories, not working out as hard, or shaking up the routine. After the Biggest Loser - she doesn’t believe in the plateau any longer. She then gives a few easy (HAHAHHA!) exercises to help with arms, bellys and butts. Check out a bit more behind the scenes.

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen for a No Fry Stir-Fry, Jarod is back with some backyard animals. Today he has a possum, black bears, a groundhog, and a skunk too!

What’s for dinner? Pizzoccheri (Cabbage and Potato Pasta).

Today we start out at the kitchen table where Rachael is joined right off the bat by Eric McCormack! It’s been 11 years since Will and Grace (no way, 11?!), but he hasn’t been just sitting around, and now he’s back where he belongs - primetime, with TNT’s new series Trust Me. Where Madmen is about the beginning of the ad age, Trust Me is about the end, and the struggle in this DVR age, how do you get them to listen, and he becomes the boss of a friend and there’s more tension.

When deciding what to do - he didn’t want to do a sitcom, because he was spoiled with the first one, and he kinda wanted to be straight for a change. He didn’t want to be a lawyer or doctor - and here comes advertising where it’s cut throat and creative. He hit it off right away with co-star Tim Cavanaugh, and says that whoever invented caffeine got the idea from him. The show is written by two ad men who were on the Chicago scene, and is about their friendship, so there’s lot of chemistry, and the ads they do are real and can be real campaigns and it’s a huge product placement thing sometimes. Eric jokes that the SAG is screaming in pain. He says it’s an interesting marriage though, because the product owners now can’t tell them how the characters react and talk about the product itself.

When Debra Messing was on, she matched Hollywood starlets with their ex-husbands in The Ex-Factor, so Eric tries to beat her time by pairing famous TV characters with their on-screen bosses in Who’s the Boss… can he do it? Debra’s time was 45 seconds, but Eric does his group in just 25! Click here for some backstage moments with Eric.

Next up, it’s a meal fit for a President, and Executive Chef Andre Cote took us behind the scenes at the Bi-Partisan Dinner where President Obama honored Senator John McCain, and 1,100 of the nation’s elite. Talk about pressure! But Cote says, beaming “Anytime you can serve a president, it’s quite an honor!”

Is YOUR closet a disaster? Gretta is on hand with some tips and tricks as she helps out Alicia who is in desperate need of a closet makeover. Alicia says her closet is so bad she doesn’t even know what’s in there anymore - and she ends up recycling the same hoodies and sweaters over and over again. She even has clothes in her son’s room! It’s G to the rescue!

Not only that, but Rachael’s friend gets the help of Amy Sui to organize her daughter’s closet, through the use of the Elfa system from the container store, bins, pullout drawers and huggable hangers that helped alphabetize the clothing. Amy also suggests keeping like items with like, and no overflow - only keep what you love and use. She also says to keep the closet inviting - pop the back wall with a bright color, and use curtains instead of doors to make it ‘friendly’.

Check below, after the cut for some closet organizing tips from Gretta - and hey, what’s for dinner? Greek Baked Ziti and No-Time-for Breakfast biscuits.

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