The View – 05/24/2010
Run Time: 38:17

They submitted a behind the scenes look at one of their episodes.  It is interesting seeing all that goes into putting on a one hour show.  The focus is off the ladies for the majority of the episode and on the producers and crew members.  This could be a big plus for some voters who find the ladies to be polarizing when they get on more opinion based topics.  Barbara is not seen in this episode because she was having her heart surgery.  Mario Cantone is there as part of the guy co-hosts week.  We see all the planning that goes on for weeks for the episode including a segment that is cut just a few hours before air.  The segment was Joy’s month in review where they joked about a previous episode where Barbara joked about a dress Elisabeth was wearing.  The segment was to include a joke that Barbara was playing footsie with Elisabeth under the table.  Joy doesn’t want to do the segment because of Barbara’s last minute surgery.  They have Michael Douglas on as a guest and they ask him about his upcoming movies, Catherine’s Tony nomination and they get into his son, Cameron’s legal issues.  The executive producer, Bill Getty feels they are talking to much about Cameron and pushes them to move on.  We see them put together a fashion show with Christian Sarino, where one of the models almost doesn’t make it on because she is feeling ill.  The last segment revolves around having a performance from the Broadway show, “Million Dollar Quartet.”  The director wants a $10,000 set but Bill cuts it down to $5000.  I do wonder if some voters would of wanted to see a regular show but I enjoyed this submission.

Grade: B

The Ellen DeGeneres Show – 10/28/2010
Run Time: 41:39

Ellen does her normal dance routine to start off the show.  Ellen brings out one of her recurring bits of Amy the reporter.  Amy is sent to a haunted house and spends the bit screaming and freaking out.  To some this may be annoying but I found it hilarious.  The first guest is First Lady, Michelle Obama and Ellen thanks her for inviting her mother to the White House for the egg hunt.  Ellen jokes that Mama stole some items from the White House during her visit.  The next guest is Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.  They note that Dr. Biden is a military mom and they have several military families in the audience.  They recognize some of the audience members and their stories.  They have a musical performance by Sugarland.  Ellen brings down to audience members to play a picture guessing game.  The one contestant guesses the pictures before it barely shows up.  It becomes obvious she is on the game and this is a surprise for the other contestant, Traci.  Ellen surprised Traci with a car and a video from her husband stationed overseas.  This was a pretty well rounded episode with the dancing, funny moments and heart warming moments with the military families.  It is a more traditional tailor made submission for many voters.

Grade: A

Rachael Ray - 05/03/2010
Run Time: 43:34

Rachael does another inspirational episode for her submission.  This one focuses on Wilma Stephenson, a culinary arts teacher in a school in Philadelphia.  Ms. Stephenson has high expectations for her students many of them come from abusive homes.  The school she teaches at sees 30% of their high school seniors drop out before graduation.  All of the students who are selected for Ms. Stephenson’s program graduate.  We are introduced to some of Ms. Stephenson’s students.  Diamond is 18 years old and is basically the sole care giver for her younger siblings.  Diamond works until 1:30 AM at a fast food restaurant and only gets about 3 hours of sleep most nights.  Christian is another student who Ms. Stephenson said she has kept busy in the classroom to keep him out of trouble on the streets.  Ms. Stephenson reflects on the students that have succeeded in her classroom.  The classroom is pretty run down so Rachael has arranged for a makeover.   They reveal a beautiful new state of the art kitchen and dinning area.  Rachael then gives each of Ms. Stephenson’s students a $5000 scholarship for college from her Yum-O organization.  Rachael introduces Bobby Flay to guest chef for Ms. Stephenson and her students.  At the studio, Rachael and Ms. Stephenson discuss how vocational programs like this are disappearing in public schools and that this program may be gone in a few years because of funding.  Rachael tells her that she is receiving another $5000 grant and a years supply of eggs.  Rachael moves on to a cooking segment where she makes some chicken and macaroni and cheese.  At the end of the episode, Rachael reveals one last surprise for Ms. Stephenson, a fabulous vacation.  A great episode with a great message and purpose.  It has severed Rachael well in the past to submit an inspirational episode so I wouldn’t be surprised if she walked away with another win.

Grade: A+

Live with Regis and Kelly – 10/29/2010
Run Time: 42:06

Regis and Kelly have submitted their Halloween episode.  The first costumes are Regis as The Situation, Kelly as Snooki, Gelman as Pauly D and Art Moore as Jwoww.  Regis and Kelly do their normal host chat but do a bit with Kelly dressed as the Jet Blue fight attendant and Regis as the passenger who drives him over the edge.  The real flight attendant makes a cameo.  Regis has trouble with knowing what is going on and keeps pulling at his shirt to show his “abs” (he is wearing a body suit).  Next costume change is Kelly as Katy Perry and Regis as Elmo.  Will Ferrell is the first guest and he is dressed as a bed bug.  They do some pre-taped bits, one is a Modern Family spoof where Kelly is Gloria, Regis is Jay and Art is Manny.  Next is Mario Lopez giving us a Kardashian update.  Kelly portrays all the Kardashian women, Regis is Bruce, Gelman is Scott and Art portrays a long lost Kardashian sister.   Another pre-taped bit comes up with Kelly at Rachel Zoe, Regis as Rachel’s assistant Brad and Gelman is Rachel husband, Rodger, Rachel is trying to find a costume for Lady Gaga.  This plays right into the next bit with Kelly pulling double duty as Cher and Lady Gaga and Regis is Justin Beiber.  They have a Glee dancing tribute with Kelly as Lea Michele and they end with all four dressed as Lady Gaga (including Gelman is a tight fitting blue number).  They finally come back to have their costume contest with Kelly as Jennifer Lopez and Regis as Steven Tyler.  They award the prizes and the episode just ends.  They do a great job with the various Halloween costumes.  I think they have submitted the Halloween episode a few times and they can never seem to win with it.  Regis doesn’t seem to know what is going on a few different times.  Voters may award the show because Regis is supposed to be leaving this summer. 

Grade: B-

Rank

1.  Rachael Ray
2.  The Ellen DeGeneres Show
3.  The View
4.  Live with Regis and Kelly

Wanted to check on this!! So in 2010 Taylor swift talking about obama won and then michelle obama won for Ellen. Maybe Ellen submitted obama again in 2012! If she did than I will predict her! Ellen plus an Obama equals victory!!