Some Contestants Don’t Even Use Reality Experience

Ali Sonoma is the beauty who left the last season of ABC’s The Mole for $30,000 cash.  Good call.  The 24-year-old is a native of St. Louis.  She went to high school in St. Charles. On her official website she doesn’t even list her mole experience.  This girl has got so much going on, she doesn’t need to. One such project is the film Say Goodnight, which also filmed in St. Louis. You can see it now on video.

Neal E. Boyd Wins AGT

NBC owes Sikeston’s Neal E. Boyd a million dollars and a show in Vegas. The Opera singer, who moonlights as an insurance salesman, (or something like that) won America’s Got Talent Wednesday night.  After the win, Boyd first cried, of course.  I loved it that host Jerry Springer called him a cry baby.  Takes one to know one Jerry…I love you   Then he shouted, “I love you Sikeston, I love you Missouri!”  How nice.  We love you too Neal.  Could you send me some tickets to your Vegas show?

Besides the congratulations from the crowd and judges, Boyd received special messages from opera quartet Il Divo and Placido Domingo. No doubt they’ll all be working the same circles within a couple years.  Your first chance to see Boyd will be October 17th at the MGM Grand.

A Bloody Beginning for Randy

Survivor: Gabon’s medical staff got called in quick this season…on the first episode. It was for Eagle Rock, MO native Randy Bailey’s head. The wedding videographer, who claims he doesn’t believe in marriage, got into it with a tree branch in the middle of the night. I think it may’ve been karma disciplining him for orneryness. He got three stitches and stained pants. Hopefully he’ll take it easy walking around in the dark from now on.

Despite the permanent scar on his head, Randy managed to make it through the first two tribal councils without scarring any relationships. He didn’t even come close to getting kicked off. I think he’s playing a smart game so far…keeping his smarty pants comments to himself. If he can hold up physically, he could have a pretty successful game ahead.

Can the Others Beat “Sensational”?

That’s the question for Neal E. Boyd.  And that’s the word Sharon Osbourne used to describe him. In Boyd’s final performance before the winner of America’s Got Talent is revealed, he brought all three judges together in agreement.  They love him. He even caused The Hoff and Pierce to high five.  What the heck is that about?  I’d say Sikeston may soon be losing its most talented insurance salesman. Tune in next Wednesday, October 1st to find out who gets the million dollars and a gig in Vegas.

The Birth of A Funny Lady

One of the funniest women to ever make it to the House round of Last Comic Standing was born in Aurora. Kristin Key came in 6th on the show. Key has made the rounds at comedy clubs across the nation, including throughout Missouri. The preacher’s kid is a frequent guest on the Bob & Tom radio show. I like her because she’s skinny, but not on purpose.

Update on Neal

America’s Got Talent is now down to the final 5, and Neal E. Boyd is one of them. The insurance salesman from Sikeston will battle singers Queen Emily, Eli Mattson and Donald Braswell. Rounding out the top five is violin duo Nuttin But Stringz. You can catch Boyd and all the other’s performances next Wednesday, the 24th on NBC.

What a Deal for Neal

Tonight, we’ll find out if Neal E. Boyd makes the top 5 on America’s Got Talent.  Last night he performed “All By Myself.” Yep, the song made famous by Celine Dion.  As the judges said, it took forever to get to the good stuff.  I was just like cooome on Neal, belt it will ya?!?  And then he finally did and it was awesome.  But that beginning may give him some troubles.  Queen Emily and Nuttin But Stringz are Neal’s biggest competition, in my opinion.  Plus there’s too cute for TV, Kaitlyn Maher.  She’s only 4 though. That’s like cheating.

Mamma Drama on The Biggest Loser

So, she’s an implant…that’s okay. I think she was raised in Texas. According to multiple bios, Michelle Aguilar, of the pink team on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, lives in Jacksonville, MO. Besides the general pressure to lose weight on television in front of millions and millions of people, she was estranged from her mom and partner, Renee Wilson, for a number of years. The two are also competing as the Pink Team. The girls on last season’s Pink Team were super popular and one, Ali Vincent, won the whole shebang.

This show is a good one to watch, not so much for the weight loss tips. It’s a little unrealistic if you ask me…a guy lost like 20 pounds in a week one time. The best parts are when they talk about their families back home. Because they always miss them a bunch. It’s a reminder of how important family is. There are also always great moments when they’re in the closet talking to the camera about their relationship with food. For anyone out there who’s had a deep personal relationship with snacks (uhmmm) you know what these folks must be going through. Sometimes, all you want is a fudge brownie and nothing else will do…except possibly a Snicker bar…or a Star Crunch.

Assisting the Stars…and Their Pets

Tom Vize is an assistant to comedian/actress Kathy Griffin.  The pair can be seen on the Bravo series My Life on the D List. Vize is a fan favorite who hails from Fenton, Missouri.  He now lives with Griffin in Hollywood, but they travel the country for Griffin’s gigs.  St. Louis Magazine has a great article about Vize and his life with Griffin.  It gives a glamorous portrayal of what it might be like to live in the life of celebrity.  I could totally pick up somebody else’s doggy doo for a home in the Hollywood hills and hob-knobbing opportunities.

Watch Out for a Gladiator in Branson

NBC series American Gladiators finished its second season last month. The male winner was Tim Oliphant of Branson. Oliphant is a 33-year-old media director for the Christian summer camp Kanakuk Kamps. He won $100,000 and a new Toyota.