THE RECAPS
STORMSEEKER.COM RECAPS! Reality writer Gordon Pepper provides
recaps of each show.
January 21, 2004 January 28, 2004 February 4, 2004 February 11, 2004 February 18, 2004 February 25, 2004 March 3, 2004
Let's all say hi to Todd Santos. HI, TODD!
Todd is a 30 year old waiter and a self-professed loser. He also has no direction with his life and he, in a sign of (pick one) A. Desperation, B. Boredness, C. Idiocity, D. Media-whoreness, E. All of the Above, F. None of the Above, G. Some of the Above and Some of the Below - decides to sign his self-control and individuality away to the FX channel. FX believes that he has potential, so in a homage to ED TV and The Truman Show, Todd Santos will be under both the microscope and the internet for 24 hours a day. He has given up his life to you, the average Joe, to improve his job, his love-life and everything else about him. As the promo guy announces, 'You decide, You Vote. He Must Obey.'
Todd TV is hosted by George Gray (ad now you know what he did after The Weakest Link) as he redescribes what I jut typed. We reiterate the beginning as George Gray makes him sign the dreaded 'Contract With America'. George pops over and gives Todd the contract. 'If you can trust anyone, you can trust reality television' says Todd, as he puts down his John Hancock. Famous last words, Todd...
We now get the vital signs - 1,200 slackers auditioned (only 1,200?), and Todd, who was born in Massachusetts and majored in communications at Westfield State. He lives in Hermosa Beach, California, where he dreams of being a songwriter.
Flashback to the present - Todd was lounging on the sofa for 12 hours looking for the remote. When he doesn't do that, he is a waiter. According to his boss Michi, 'When he's on, he's way on, but when he's off, he's a mess.' Todd enjoys drinking and hanging out with the ladies. 'I'm not ready to commit, because committing is a commitment.'
He does not get along with his mom, who happens to live right near him. Whitney, Todd's sister is frustrated with the fact that Todd has no motivation, and she wants him to go out and live life. So he does it as he wants us to tell him how to live his life.
We start the first moment of Todd's now controlled life by taking him from his birthday party (where he signed the contract) to where he works. For a taste of this, he gets his first request from Daniel Condrey from Chapin, South Carolina - which is to quit his job. A shocked Todd asks his employers if they were clued in on this, but they weren't. Their joy shows through as Michi and Dave (Todd's manager) exchange high fives. Manager Danny - 'Instead of using his charm, maybe this will show him how to use his brain a bit more.' The whole restaurant explodes in joy, and maybe they were the driving force of getting him on the show to begin with.
Todd is stuck with $800 and change - and he wants to know if America will support him. Ha ha ha ha ha ha no. George says that he does a new job - but he gets a new phone - a T Mobile phone - and he must always answer it. He can't purposely leave it anywhere - and I have a feeling that he may want to at the end of the second episode.
He may want to leave it at the end of the first episode, as we continue at 6:45 am. Dana Lee gives Todd his first job assignment - but first they need to wake him up. Todd looks at all of his new cameras - including the bathroom cam. After talking to Carlos Ortiz, the producer, Todd meets Anthony the paperboy - and then realizes that he will be taking over his paper route. His time - before 8am, 7 days a week.
After the grueling paper route, he then goes to check his financial statements. He thought that he had $800 and change left - but he is actually $429.07 in the hole. Fortunately for him, he finds some checks. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that he has done this and he has to go to the bank - again - to fix it.
So what does Todd do after the bank experience? Goes to sushi, of course! They toast to his first night on reality TV, and she gets advice from Nicole, who was a contestant from Survivor. 'Just seeing what reality tv does to people...I think that reality TV will be the end of him.' If he's getting advice from the contestant that got eliminated FIRST from Survivor, then it's not going to get much better for him...
...especially once he gets into public and someone says, 'Hey it's that deuschbag from the show!' Well, that's not good, especially when a liquored up woman points her finger at him and says that he's not nice. He staggers out of the bar, and it looks like he's not all sober himself.
Todd wakes up on Day 2 a little more sober - but maybe he wishes he was drunk after getting his first phone call from his mom. He does his laundry for the first time since the last ice age and while at the laundromat, he runs into his ex-Suzanne, who used to be on The Bachelor. Gee, does it show that Todd is in the actor clique? He says that he's scared, nervous, and 1% excited as to what's going to happen next, which Suzanne then turns around and tells him that he signed up for this. Todd has gotten a lot of love so far, hasn't he?
He gets more love when he tries to take a shower - and then realizes the full meaning of Todd TV. There is a camera in there, and he goes off after produces Robin Feinstein. He's already going nuts and this is the first episode. What can be worse?
A visit from mom! He gets this news from the visiting psychiatrist, Dr. Pavlo. She asks if mommy is going to live with him, and he says that it's a bad idea. This probably means that mommy will be there to stay - and she makes her presence felt by waking Todd up. After a very awkward conversation, Todd runs to the shower and will take her to eat - and doesn't want her to stay at the house any longer than she needs to be. IN her defense, mom doesn't seem like a bad person who is annoyed that Todd even got to the level that he has been in order to need to be on reality Tv.
Fortunately for Todd, not everything that happens to him is bad. Someone suggests that as a songwriter, he should come up with the theme song for the show - and sure enough, he needs to come up with a song theme. he does so and he is brought to the studio, where George hooks him up with Doug Was. He jams with Was, who likes what Todd has written. Todd knows that he can't sing, and he says that he sounds like a squealing pig. Fortunately for him, Doug Was sang over it, which makes it sound halfway decent as we rehear the opening theme.
After the trip to the studio, Todd goes back o the house, where he is greeted by some of the people in his life - including his friends, ex-workmates, Suzanne, his mom and the good doctor. We've seen good things - and bad things - about the adventures of Todd. Now it's your turn to vote.
Here are the 2 questions...Question #1 - Who will be the female roommate? A. Dr. Pavlo, B. Mom. Todd is imploring America to select the therapist - but the entertainment will be with mom. Question #2 - Should he A. Compose countless songs as a singing telegram gorilla or B. Be an assistant to GlAM Band and Poison Front Runner Bret Michaels? Both mom and Todd implore all of you to pick B - but it's up to the audience to be nice - or mean.
In order for you to make that call, dial 1800-VOTE-TODD for that - or for any other suggestions that you want to make. By voting, you can also win a trip to go golfing! That's how the show ends. Fade to black.
My take? Well, this is only going to be as good as the writers, and so far, they have set up a decent pattern. I don't find Todd that likable, but fortunately, this show is not bent on the likability of Todd - as a matter of fact, Todd's personality will decide what tasks are made for him, and that could be fun.
This is not a bad start to a show that I didn't know what to make out of. We'll see what you guys make out of it on the next show.
The last time we left our helpless hero, we had a choice to either be nice to him, have him be a gopher to Poison's Bret Michaels and have his therapist stay over - or we could torture him, stick him in a singing gorilla suit and have his mother-in-law come over to torment him. We will soon find out if we are a nice or sadistic audience. By the way, don't feel too bad for Todd - for each week that he spends on the show, he makes $5,000, so he will get over $30,000, regardless of what you do for - or against - him.
We start the show after the 'Todd Hall Meeting' - and he prays that he isn't stuck with his mom. He is sick just thinking about it - and he knows that a singing gorilla won't give him much progress there, either. Later that night, he is exchanging shots with his mom - who could be his roommate. He excuses himself and his mom correctly guesses that he is having a meltdown. Mom wants to hang out at the studio with Todd when he goes to meet Bret Michaels - and Todd really wants to live with the therapist - in more ways than one.
The next morning arrives - and Todd asks the producers if the votes have arrived - they haven't. He then calls his friends to ask who they voted for - and he is finding out that his friends didn't vote at all. Uh-oh...Some of his friends that he met in person did say that they voted for the therapist/Bret Michaels combo, and that gives him some relief.
In the car ride going to Todd's house, mom is talking about how she is going to control Todd's life - and I can see why Todd is a slob - he is rebelling against mommy. Meanwhile, the therapist can't wait to be a voyeur. She sounds cool already.
The production people have already built a top bunk for Todd's roommate. Todd wants to know - but the suspense is killing George and he is enjoying keeping Todd twisting in the wind. He says that he is 30 years old and that he is too old to have a roommate. Ok, so it's not too old for responsibility?
Todd is told that his new roommate is....the therapist. He said that he'll make the best of it - but inside, he is doing jumping jacks inside (Therapist - 58.24% vs Mom - 41.76%). He says that he doesn't need therapy -= but the psychiatrist says that she may. Mom takes it personally 'I don't think she's going to find it very therapeutic living there.' Meoooow.
Todd shows the therapist his room - and he sees the top bunk for the first time. 'No way, no way, no way, no way, no way.' says Todd, who now wants to sleep on the sofa. It could be worse - imagine mommy up there. Todd all of the sudden doesn't feel like opening up - at all. While Dr. Pavlo is cleaning up the disaster that is Todd's house, Brent, his roommate is coming in - and he's happy with what the good doctor is doing. 'Who needs Todd?' asks Brent, as the Doctor makes chicken parmagian,.
Everything seems normal - until Dr. Pavlo had a family emergency with her son and a stranger - as the son did not want to go with someone who just drove by. That's creepy - and not part of the show, so they stop and Todd goes with the Dr to get her son. Todd notices how he can solve other people's problems - but not his own.
The next morning, Todd is woken up by George, who tells him to meet him by a studio. Todd, wondering what his new job is going to be, says that he'll be pissed if he is stuck as a singing gorilla for the next week. As he walks into the recording studio, into the sound room walks in...Bob, the singing telegram guy. Todd looks like he wants to hide in the suit and runaway - until he sings 'You can learn a lot with me - but America disagrees, so you'll be learning a lot from Bret Michaels for freeeeee.' Bob is thrilled, and the audience voted 72.51 for Bret (vs. 27.49 for the singing telegram).
Bret's first order is to escort Todd into a different room - and Todd is told to go to the car to get Bret's guitar. Going into the car, he opens the trunk and finds...not a guitar, but a sponge set. Todd gets to wash the car while Bret is inside. After an hour or so, Bret comes out with the key - and tells him to clean the insides of the car. D'oh. Todd then is supposed to dry it with a shammy, but it is dirty and wiping it would scratch the car, so Todd does the wise thing and not dry it. Bret comes out and tells him to drive his car to clean it off. Sweet.
But what's the point? If the intent was for him to actually learn something, that didn't happen, because he wasn't in the studio - at all. Maybe the whole exercise was to show him patience, but they could have used any celebrity - or they didn't even need to. It honestly seems like he could have learned more by playing the role of Magilla.
While in the car, Todd gets a call from George - and that his next plan of action is to go out on a date with Suzanne. Suzanne is his ex, and apparently 'I would rather go out with anyone except Suzanne. I don't like her now and I didn't like here then.' Todd does meet her - and he tells her that he doesn't like her. Ouch. Suzanne doesn't know where the hostility is coming from - and then we find out that he is ticked because she is involved with the show. This turns into a he says/she says in terms of dating, and Todd says when the food comes up, 'good the food is here, and instead of talking we can be eating.' He is being rude, and Suzanne is upset that instead of him taking this like it's the best thing in the world, he is complaining 'Woe is me'. She has a point...
And Todd is now complaining that he has to see the therapist, who thanks him again for helping her with her matter. Dr Pablo then tells him that he wants mommy in on this. 'The only thing worse than therapy is therapy with your mother.' says Todd, as his mom starts cooing about her son. she is disappointed that he isn't respecting her feelings, and the doc says that now is a good time to end the session. Todd 'See you next week' Dr Pablo 'No you won't', Todd (groan) 'see you tonight. Dr Pablo nails it on the head when she takes mom home and explains everything. Todd, who's also driving home, says that he doesn't want this, but it will teach him patience. There's no love like tough love...
'I really don't want you to ruin the weekend more than you already have ruined it.' says Todd when George wakes him up the next day. George is telling Todd that the viewers are suggesting that he goes out and dates some women. Todd's reaction? 'If I wanted to go on a dating show, I would have gone on a hundred of them.' He is really coming off on this segment as a whiny bitch.
He then goes out on a series of 5 minute dates, and any sort of redeeming qualities about him at the start of the episode are gone by this part of the episode. He is surly, and in some cases, downright nasty to some of the girls, who are only there to help. He did find Tara, who works on an adult web site - but the woman that were selected was Gina (full of discipline) and Stacey (nurturing person). Todd is complaining that he is forced to go off and date girls. Gee, I can think of worse things - can they bring back that gorilla suit?
Gina (who looks like Gina from Survivor), is 28 years old, and she likes hockey, as well as sincerely, while Stacey, a cute blonde who looks like a young Sally Struthers, is deep, kind and caring. Stacey thinks that Todd is nice, while Gina thinks that Todd is cocky, skated through life on good looks, and I am thinking that Todd and Gina could be a good match. Todd returns the favor by saying that they are all good people that he can be friends with - but it definitely does not seem like a love connection with either of the women.
The second part of the date has salsa dancing. After that, we get the final evaluation of the women, and it seems like Stacey would be more compatible than Gina. One woman who is having major compatibility problems with Todd though, is Barbara the shrink, who likes to talk to Todd's roommates, but when it comes to Todd, she says that he is just as closed and obnoxious in the house off-camera as he is on-camera.
Todd goes back to work with Bret - and he is organizing cables. After that, it's time to go get some booze - and then using a shop-vac to clean the floor while everyone is staring at him drinking a beer. 'This Sucks' says Todd, and I don't think he's referring to the vacuum. As can be expected, Todd bitches about this too, and then he gets punchy with Bret Michaels, as he puts the beer container on his head as he is leaving the studio for the day. If you wish to get into the music business, being an yutz to Bret Michaels not a good idea, and Bret just sends him off his way. A more-calmed-down Todd later says that it was a good experience, but as the camera is rolling, we can see Todd take the box off of his head and slam dunk it into a trash compactor.
It's time for Todd to go to the Todd Hall voting session for the day, and George is there to tell Todd the obvious - that Todd was complaining all week, and he is not going to be seen in a positive light this week - 'people at home are going to see what you are going to griping about it.. don't you think that people will be upset that they gave you what you wanted and are still complaining about it?' Todd's reaction? 'Well, I signed up for Todd TV.'. This man has an ego which he shouldn't have, and I am more than ready to set him up to be tortured.
After rehashing the week with Bret ('I wanted to work him on the edge of sanity'), Barbara ('He is the same off-camera as he is on-camera'), and Suzanne ('I think we can get a long together in a parallel dimension'), it's time to present him the check for $5,000 for surviving (albeit kvetching all through) the week. Whoopee.
It's time to vote. The first choice - Should he attempt to build a relationship with t with 1. Gina, 2. Stacey. The obvious choice here is Gina, who looks like she can whip him to shape, while Bret wants both of the women to go to the studio with him. Uhhh....no. As a show of how unhappy they are with Todd, they don't even ask him about his opinion in terms of the women.
The second question is based more on a make over. Out comes Daniel DeCriscio, who looks like Suzanne Summers. He says that Todd isn't Hollywood enough, and presents him 2 choices. The first one is the college corporate look, vest and all, which Todd doesn't want, while the other look is the punk rock look - which I don't think Todd wants either. Todd's mom says that she will not Todd get anything pierced - but it's not up to him - it's up to the audience.
Looking back, this was not a good week for Todd, and even when he gets what he wanted, he complained about it. Well, now we all know why he is at the current state of where he is. I think based on this week's episode, if the audience is feeling about him as I am, it's not going to get any better for him on the next one.
When we last left Todd, he was grumpy, moody and besucally made everyone's lives miserable. Will the audience help him out? Or did we make him even more of a basket case?
We start out very quickly by finding out the latter - Todd's latest opening assignment is that he will be moving to a new house - with two new roommates. The new people are roommates Carly and Scott, and Todd immediately takes a disliking to them. Scott seems to be ok, while Carly is a naturist who likes doing things in the nude. Well, what's wrong with that?
Will we have to put up with Todd's whining the whole hour? No. Todd gets the call from George, who invites him over and tells him that the audience was not too keen on whether or not Todd appreciates what they are doing for him. While Todd is saying that he, for the most part, likes it, George introduces him to another Todd - Todd Sandler - who could possibly be Todd Santos's replacement.
The message is blatantly clear - if he doesn't stop whining, George will post the question of whether Todd should be replaced by another Todd - and if the audience says yes, then out he goes - and they don't even have to change the name of the show. A VERY freaked out Todd now realizes what a moron he is making himself look like, and he immediately tells George that he will change. 'I want to make sure that Geroge Never, NEVER, has to introduce me to anthoer Todd.'
Todd's mom comes over, and they talk about Todd, which completely embarrasses him. In response, he calls his old roommate Matt to pick him up and take him to Mexico, Zanzibar, anywhere but where hs is now. Him and Matt meet yo with Todd's friend Andrea to see the latest episode of Todd TV. Then they go to the bar, where Andrea says that Todd has a great sense of humor - he just needs to get his act together.
Todd spends the night over at Andreas, and when he gets home, he arrives to see...his car about to be towed because it's blocking up Carly's driveway. In addition, Matt stays over in Todd's bed, much to the dismay of Carly, who was shocked when she looks to tell Todd to move the car - and she sees a guy who isn't Todd there. Todd has to pay for the towing, and he is not a happy puppy.
He will be even less thrilled when Todd meets George, who reminds him that Americ voted on Todd's woman on the last episode. Todd goes into the house, expecting to see who America picked - but instead he finds Renee The Love Mechanic, who is giving him lessons on how to date, which Todd desperately needs.
After buying roses and dinner, we await to see the person that America has chose - and it's...Gina, which was to be expected (63.42% for her, Vs. 36.58 for Stacey). Gina starts by saying grace and she was happy to see Todd, and Todd is actually being a gentleman and responds in kind. She starts by saying that she prefers it to be in an informal environment, and Todd agrees. They go out - but after the date, he goes to tell the head of the 5 Minute Date group that he doesn't want to continue to persue a relationship with Gina.
The reason? He may have a girlfriend already - in the form of Andrea. As he says, it changed from 'Friends With Benefits' to something serious. I don't know if it's because he is serious, or if it's because he doesn't want this part of his life to be revisited. We'll keep an eye on this and see how this progresses...
Todd still has his job with Bret Michaels, and he is loathing the idea of going there. When he comes here, Bret asks him to tune his guitar, but Todd can't find a pick. Bret sends him on his way to find one, and he can't find it. The reason? Bret hid all of the picks, which Todd finds out once he gets back. Ha ha ha.
Bret then tells him that he has been busting him because he wanted to test his drive. As a reward, Todd is told that if he can tune the guitar and play a good lick, then the lick will be put into a track of Bret Michaels new recording! Todd is stoked - though he feels like he is more of a songwriter, they lay the track down. Bret then talks to Todd about his songwriting, and they jam a little bit together. Bret likes what he hears, and he asks him if they want to bring in other people. A gleeful Todd says, 'Todd TV has been a perfect textbook lesson in life - work hard, play the game, and you'll get rewarded.'
Sometimes we're there to make Todd learn - and sometimes, we just want to tap on the cage and see what the little hamster does. Todd wakes up the next morning and is told to go jogging for some exercise. Todd is then asked to show his bare feet - and then is asked to witness a birth on video. Then he is asked to eat a hot pepper. 'I'm going to eat the hot pepper - and then I'm going to say that this is where the show started - going downhill.' To his credit, he eats it...
...and to his credit, he goes to therapy. For today's therapy, she switches roles with Todd and she's Todd - and he's the psychiatrist. After a pleasant exchange, we find out that Todd still doesn't get it that he's being very immature - but that's why he's here, isn't he?
After the therapy lesson, Carly takes Todd out shopping. 'Todd has the attention span of...almost like a toddler sometimes.' says Carly, who looks like she'd want to stuff him in the cart. Carly goes the whole health route, while Todd's choice of food includes ice cream and Snickers.
Don Was, Bret Michael's producer, is here to visit Todd - and he's there to tell him that he's seeing the show and he didn't like Todd's actions on the last program, He tells Todd that as long as he puts up a good image, then he'll do what he can to try to peddle himself - I guess the message is is that if the replacement Todd doesn't work, maybe a visit from one of his idols are.
George tells Todd that it's time to go through the second part of America's Choice. After clothing maven Daniel DeCriscio rummages through his closet, they take Todd through both wardrobes - and he isn't happy about either of them. Daniel then takes him out to a hair salon, and Todd lip syncs 'Help Me' to the tv - but it's too late for that.
We are back in Todd Hall, with everyone from the week - including the replacement Todd. This time around, Todd knows the answer to the poll before everyone else does - and it's now PUNK TODD (51% Vs. 49%). Mom says the pants are amazing. George - 'Define Amazing' Mom - 'Hideous'.
In terms of the roommates, Todd is sort-of getting along, and the Doctor is impressed that Todd is progressing, Todd gets his $5,000 check - and it's time to vote again.
Voting question #1 - Should Todd stay with Gina or date Andrea? Well, Todd wants to date Andrea - but it's not up to him, is it? It's up to the audience. Question #2 - Should Todd be able to make a band - or do you want him to work as a street performer in front of the clubs that he wants to play in?
That's it for the show, but before we leave, George has another surprise - at the end of the experiment, you get to vote to decide if Todd gets to stay doing what he's doing - or put him back to bum status. Hmmm...
We'll see next week if you want Todd to progress - or regress.
After the show for last week, Todd took Gina and Andrea over to 'Joseph's', a bar, and things got uncomfortable very quickly when Gina insists that America will vote for her - instead of Andrea, who is the person who Todd wants to spend some time with.
Todd, under duress from a viewer, writes a letter that says 5 things that he loved about mom. She likes the letter - until they get into the ride to the airport and it gets ugly. Todd 'What's the first thing you're doing when you get home?' Mom 'Seeing someone who really likes me.' I can understand how mom isn't helping, as Todd tries to coax mom, but it's not working and Todd feels like a new man once mom leaves.
'Sure enough America decides to boss me around' says Todd, who gets a request from Aaron Blanchard to bake some cookies for the neighbors. Next up? Anna Belanos tells Todd to read the paper - and then get into a discussion about current events. We find out that the people are just as clueless on the current events as he is.
Todd meanwhile, is taking a swim (suggested by another listener). While that's going on, Todd's dad comes to visit - and he is thrilled to see him. Dave (his dad) is an easy-going great guy, according to Todd - and apparently, he got most of his traits from daddy. If they are divorced, I can see why.
The next morning, George calls up Todd and tells him to meet him outside the street corner. After playing a little bit on the street, George tells him that 72% of the audience tells him that he can form a band - and he is thrilled. Todd will be even more thrilled when him and Bret Michaels will both be judging the competition. Todd asks if he will make the choice - and George says yes - unless he wants to let America decide. He quickly says no, and he starts to judge.
10 bands play for him - and the audition song is their rendition of Todd's TV song 'Dope'. There were a few good bands in there - and Bret Michaels liked B9, The Piper Downs and Grant Langston and the Supermodels. I liked the Piper Downs - but Todd knows the bass player of Grant Langston and I think that he may get the gig. Todd wanted to find the band that was the best fit for his song - and it would be the Piper Downs...but he selects B9 instead. Huh? Todd thanks Bret and Todd is waiting for his first gig with B9, which is much more punk than the other ones, and I don't see how this is going to be a good fit...
Todd is still living with Scott and Carly. Scott calls out Todd - and tells him to get more responsibility. 'Carly comes from a good place - I just don't know where it is - or how to get there.' Carly is the anti-Todd, who does pilates and is a nature freak. Carly gives Todd breathing exercises. Todd's reaction? 'I asked for America's help - not for Carly and Scott's.' I have a feeling that Todd is going to regret saying that...
He may already be regretting his choice of B9, as they are very punk. Todd likes their song - and B9 listens to his song - and they say that they don't get it. Uh oh...Jeremy and Fred, the B9 members, change the song and B9 it - which Todd says that they are bastardizing it. 'When he picked us, I knew that this was going to happen.', and I knew that Todd, who is not a happy camper after listening to his song punked and hard-rocked up by them (though I have to admit that their version sounds MUCH better than Todd's version) was making a really bad choice by selecting them. Too much Bret Michaels/Producers influence?
While blowing off steam, Todd decides to go drown his sorrows at the bar. He gets lots of shots, which results in him running into the parking meter. He continues as he goes into Scott and Carly's house - and he comes in there drunk and loud and tells Carly that she got what she deserved she got by inviting a stranger into her house and getting her 15 minutes of fame this way. Carly, none too amused, tells him to eat the salad and go to bed. He does so, but not before making even more noise as Carly is wondering when the replacement Todd will be coming in.
The real Todd comes in the next morning and has a hangover the size of California. He feels like garbage because of his actions, so he takes a ride to forget about himself, adding that he doesn't drink often, but when he does, he drinks a lot. He realizes that the pressures of this show is getting to him and he apologizes to his roommates. Todd actually calls the producers to speak to Dr. Pavlo about his drinking problem. This is ironic, coming from someone who says that he doesn't need therapy.
The good doc says that alcohol numbs feelings - which is why he did this, adding that he can't afford the price that being drunk has cost him. Todd says that it's time to stop hanging out with Mr. Alcohol - and he decides to do so.
Now will he stop hanging out with Gina? America decides this - but not before Todd and Gina go out for lunch. Gina talks to Todd about his Valentine's Day date, and while she is planning it, George calls him up and tells him to meet him by the ladies bathroom. In the bathroom, George tells Todd that 71.7% of the audience tells him to let Gina go - and Renee the Love Mechanic is there to give him lessons on how to dump her. Meanwhile, Todd is told to eat some wasabi - and George tells Todd that the gloom on his face is the perfect look to tell GIna. Heh.
Todd goes back and breaks Gina the news - and she's not too thrilled, but she understands that it's America's decision. Andrea, on the other hand is thrilled as they seem to be hooking up. AwwwwBarf.
Todd introduces Andrea to daddy Dave, and he seems to be happy. Dad hangs out in a cadillac as they share breakfast. Daddy Santos tries on some shades and he is eager to listen to his son in concert. He tries to make up with B9, who bluntly say that Todd couldn't get the chord changes for most of their songs - but he could learn his own piece 'Dope', and I guess that it's good enough for now. Right before the performance, George calls Todd and tells him to put on some eyeliner - something that B9 is more than happy to oblige. He also gets the lucky necklace...'With that necklace, I don't fall offstage.'
I's Todd's opening night, and they play to a crowd of....four people. I notice that he was in the back - without a microphone and with no wire to his guitar, so I guess that's how much confident the band was in his capability. They did get through the performance, though, so the 4 people who were there (including dad) seemed to be satisfied.
His performance on the stage is over - his performance in Todd Hall is next, as we get to see everyone inside- including the check for $5,000 - but the $5,000 this time around doesn't go to him - it goes to studio time for him to cut a demo. Todd is thrilled about that, and there's $5,000 less that FX needs to spend on the show.
George asks Todd if he prefers to make the song his way - or the way that B9 performed the song. Todd says that he prefers to do it his way - but George tells the audience that it's the first question to be asked. 1. Should Todd A. cut the song on his own or B. B9.
Second question - Should Todd take guidance from A. Scott, Mr. Structure, or B. Carly, Miss Spiritual, who promises to give Todd a colonic (read: Enema). They all agree that Scott is the better choice - and Todd says that if America selects Scott, then he will take the colonic anyways - and B9 will join in the colonic exercise. George - 'Next week, there could be ass-o-plenty.' This would last until the end of the season, so Todd could be getting a while bunch of colonics until the end of the show. 'Todd's life - and ass - is in your hands.'
Will Todd get a colonic? Will he cut his own demo? Will we be seeing 5 naked rear ends by this time next week? We ill find out...
We start this episode like we've started most of the episodes - right after Todd Hall. He sees himself in the final copy - and he doesn't like it. 'If you think that this is what reality tv is like - think again.' Will that showing determine what the audience thinks of him? We'll find out as he goes talk to B9 - and he calls the song a rendition of his tune - but not the real version. B9 thinks that he's made a major error in judgement in terms with the group...
...but he's stuck with them, because 69% of the audience chose Todd to work with them - and they also want to see the colonics promised to them from the last episode. They will get some help, as the 'Rock Doctor' will come to make sure they get along and stay productive. Instead of thoughtful talk, we get them using crayons and smacking chairs with pugile sticks, which makes me wonder why this segment is necessary. 'He's not Dr. Spock.' says Todd, and this time, I have to agree with him.
It's time for the audience to torture Todd! Todd has to do 250 sit ups, wear a leopard thong, drink a bottle of lemon juice and have a conversation with a person who accuses of whining - and then tells the person that he doesn't know what he's talking about. That's not exactly the way to make friends...
...but in terms of forging a relationship, they feel that Todd and dad has to go see Dr. Pavlo. She is upset that dad doesn't have a profound effect on Todd - and I can see where she's coming from. Todd's dad enjoyed the talk - though Todd, shocked that dad is making a play for the doc, is trying to end that before it starts. After the session, Todd is complaining from stomach pains. Is it legit - or is it because his dad and the doctor are going out on a date? Hmmmm...they are talking about Todd - and the Dr says that Todd is indeed improving because of the show.
Back at the house, the bottle of lemon juice may have taken it's toll on Todd. He's drinking a lot of water, but he is in a lot of pain and he and Andrea are very concerned about his well-being. He's still not feeling better, so Andrea rushed him to the hospital. They find out that it could be the lemon juice - so the doctor gives him a prescription - and they hope that the pain will be gone in 2 days.
George awakes Todd - and showing him the board that Scott has posted up. We find out rather quickly that the audience wanted Todd to follow with Scott's Structure (66% Vs. 34%) 'America chose me - he's going to have to deal with it.' He puts up[ some reasonable tasks - which Todd is equating them as torture. 'It's like we have to retrain him - like a little kid.'
George adds even more fun - for every task that Todd doesn't perform, Todd TV will deduct $100 from his $5,000 paycheck. Todd's reaction? 'Some people were meant for daily routines - I'm not one of them.' That check may be at $400 by the end of the week.
The next submission may want him to go back to cleaning his room. Todd needs to now dress up like CUpid - and sell kisses for $1 to go to charity. His suit is a silly red lycra outfit wearing tin foil wings, a diaper, and a heart placed...well, you can figure it out. Todd kisses women, men - and even a dog - and Andrea, who gives him a $20. He even puts out Andrea as she raises some money.
We don't find out hoe much he makes - but if you remember from last time, as a result of the audience giving him Scott (instead of Carly), Todd has to 'pay up' and get his colonic. His band B9 also has to do it. ' i didn't know if they threw a couple of ice cubes up there - I didn't ask for on the rocks.' and 'Todd owes us for this' are 2 of the things that B9 says. As Todd is about to have his colonic, he complains that he has chest pain and Dr George tells Todd that he doesn't have to do it. George tells him to put his pants back on - and the band, who feels like they've been used, swear to make sure that he gets the colonic.
Jamming with B9, they work on another song for Todd. They are less than thrilled about it. 'If it's gong to be acoustic, it's not what we want to sell.' While Todd works with one of the members of B9, the rest of them go out and have a bitch session on Todd, as they are not seeing eye to eye with Todd - at all. The band accuses him of being too self-controlling and anal - but hey, that's the Todd that we all know and love. 'I already have a finished product in my head - it's not going to be anything like the finished product.' Conversely, B9 doesn't think that it's sounding musical - and they decide to do it their way.
The next day, Todd gets more than half of the things to do on his list - and he is impressed when he comes into B9's studio,. Unbeknownst to Todd, B9, who wasn't happy, goes back and does a session until 3am to do their own rendition of Todd's song,. They were concerned about Todd's reaction, but Todd liked it, with a few changes. They wanted to be known as a not the guys who had the colonic on national tv, but the guys who made one of Todd's half-assed songs good. Well, there's a back handed compliment if I've ever heard one.
The song actually grows on Todd - and he winds up liking it - or so he says - though it looks like he'd rather be in zanzibar grinding pieces of slate together. Todd thought that they rocked - now if he only thought about that before that...
...then he wouldn't have such animosity at Todd Hall. George tells Todd that this is the last week that America gets to make normal decisions. B9 says that the demo, for what it was, was ok - but they wouldn't work with him again. Surprisingly, he didn't screw up once for Scott, so Todd gets $5,000. Todd, once again gives back the $5,000 - and George wants to ask Todd what he would do with the $5,000. Todd says to have complete creative control of the show - but barring that, he wants to go to Colorado and buy a motorcycle. The audience decides if he can do that - or give the money out $100 at a time. Todd says that he knows that the audience will make him give the money out - and I am inclined to agree.
Todd is not happy about how he is being portrayed on tv - but Keller, the guy who called him up to talk to him, is also, apparently a producer. Question #2 - Will the audience will give control of a part of the show to Todd - or Keller?
Two very interesting questions - which will go to the big one on next week - will Todd be ale to keep what he's got - or will they send him to Slackerville. That question happens next week - which is when we will get the closing statements of the trial of Todd.
As we head to the end of the 7 week experiment, it's becoming clear that the producers want Todd to realize how vulnerable that he is, as the questions seemed to be weighed in an anti-Todd slant.
Just a refresher on the questions - #1 - Should Todd keep the $5,000 and spend it on a motorcycle, or give away $100 at a time to the needy people? #2 - Should Todd's life be directed by him - or by one of the fans of the show who think that he's an obnoxious brat?
We start with the events right after the last Todd Hall. Todd says that it was rough - and even rougher when Andrea is not being labelled as his girlfriend, but as his 'fun buddy' - which is more apparent when Todd tells his dad that Andrea can't be labelled as his girlfriend. That pisses off Andrea and she leaves, prompting Todd to say 'This never shuts off' as the night ends.
The next morning, Todd has seen enough and he blows up at the producer. He asks that the cameras are shut off - and of course, the cameras are on him as he goes off on the staff. 'If I wasn't piss poor, I would say that f&ck this show - this show is stupid.' I guess Todd sees the ratings of the show has been dropping faster than Anna Nicole Smith's waistline, too.
Whether or not I agree with him if a moot point, but if there was any doubt that he wasn't a premadonna, the doubt is gone and the producers may have seen the errors of their ways.
Todd does apologize, telling the producers that 'There's not a person on planet Earth that knows exactly what I've gone through, but I know how hard it is to create a show on the fly.' Dude, if someone gave me $5,000 a week, I would put a big-ass smile on my face and eat a vat of hot peppers.
George comes over with the motorcycle - and he talks to todd about the first question. Todd is convinced that he is giving the money away, but George says that 69.1% of the audience says that he should go buy the bike. Apparently, the ratings are so low that Todd's friends now have enough of a say to control the phone calls.
We are going to buy a motorcycle for Todd - and we find out that the bike that he wants is $27,500. Oops. He looks for another one, but the Harley that he wants is $9,995. He goes to a different store, but the salesperson of the first store comes back with an offer of $9,750 while the sales person of the second store gives him an offer of a different bike for $9,300. Has anyone figured out tat the check that Todd has is only for $5,000? He goes for the Harley for $9,750 - which means that he took out $4,750 of his own money to get the bike. Sure, that's a sign of fiscal responsibility.
Some of the audience, apparently, agrees with me, as they continue to torment Todd. The stunt including taking a cold shower, belly dancing, and getting a dog. This time around, Todd actually likes the idea of getting a dog. Jackie David, the head of the pound, warns Todd that it's 15 to 20 years worth of responsibility which will cost money, but Todd is up for the challenge - that is, until he tries to decide what dog he wants. He'd like to take them all - but he knows that some of them will die deaths - and he picks one who is scheduled to be put to sleep when new dogs come in. He takes pictures of his still unnamed dog and sends them to his sister.
Speaking of doge, Todd invites Andrea to hang out - and she asks if he thinks that there's an off-again, there'd be an on-buddy? She's sick of being a fun buddy - but Todd says that he can't offer her any more and Andrea is convinced that Todd isn't going to advance the relationship anymore. Do you have that feeling that Todd only picked up Andrea so that he would be free from having people interfere with his love life for the past month? Methinks so...
Not only is his relationship regressing, so is his responsibilities. He put stars up there in exercises that he didn't do - and Scott is pissed that he lied to him. He takes off 4 gold stars - which deducts $400 from his weekly amount.
Things get worse for him, as when he is seeing Dr Pavlo, he is met by Andrea, who thinks that Todd has a fear of close relationships. Todd counters by saying that he isn't afraid of commitment if he found the right person - but she isn't it. The doctor acknowledges it to Andrea and she finishes it with this, 'If it comes down to when he decides to settle down, I will not be there.' Todd then asks if she would sleep with him that night. Do you have the feeling that he just doesn't get it?
Todd calls Don Was to ask him how the demo went. Todd brings the demo, which Don liked - but it wasn't what Todd wanted. Don Was counters that and offers Todd a record demo deal - something that Todd is thrilled about...
...but will he be thrilled when Todd sees Keller by his door? George tells Todd that 80% of the audience wanted the next segment to be directed by...Todd. He tried to shoot and edit the set - and his production for his 5 minute segment was, to say...sad. He starts by interviewing people who have never heard of him (I guess the ratings REALLY suck) and then he does a fake snowboarding segment - and then he has friends refuting how the people on tv supposedly perceived him. This segment was, to say the least, atrocious. Where's Keller?
George asks Todd to come over for the biggest viewer submission - ever. The submission was to get Todd a job in the music industry. The job? Be a music scout and be on the street to tell Asya Sheen, the president of Myr Media, the groups that are worth signing. The first assignment is a test and to do a mock interview with 'Tha Liks'. She's not expecting perfection - just as long as he listens and takes the flow with it. He didn't do a bad job - and he's happy that it's a start in the business.
Todd's dad comes over as they talk about the final vote. Todd thinks that people are good hearted and that they should vote for him to do well. Dave says that it will be a landslide in his favor. I'll have to agree - but not for those reasons, which we'll talk about later...
It's time for the next Todd Hall - and Todd only gets a check for $4,800. There is no people this time - only monitors that are his prosecution - and his defense. He said that you would have to be mentally deranged to be a happy person all the time in his defense. We get more of Todd - he now admits that he needed therapy, he isn't good with relationships, and he thinks that his music is good.
Will the audience let him keep what he has - or will they send him back from LA to Hermosa Beach? Todd says that either way, he'll still be a better person. What's at stake? the clothes, job, motorcycle, and the contract with Don Was. If the audience votes no, then he goes back to everywhere, including the job back as a waiter.
This leads to the Final question - has Todd deserved to get the change of life? You can tell that the producers are slanting it against Todd - and I absolutely agree. I don't think that Todd has earned it - but I do think that A. America is a kind-hearted group, and B. There may be so few people (because of the ratings) who vote, that Todd's friends and supporters may have a significant say in the voting. Both of the past votes in this episode should have gone against Todd - but the audience liked him enough that they approved both - by a huge margin. I can't see how the audience would vote to rescind everything from Todd when they have liked him - for the most part - for the whole series - but we've seen weirder things happen before. Tune in next week to see if we have a weird audience as we get the conclusion of Todd TV.
We are at he final (yay) episode of Todd TV - and the audience will decide if Todd's actions warrant him to give him what he wants. I don't think he does - but I think that the audience has been so supportive of Todd that I don't think that any slant by the producer will stop the audience from giving him his heart's desire.
Despite this, Todd is still watching the best - and the worst of Todd TV, with him bitching at the producers. He felt hollow, and as he is walking his dog, he called Don Was and asked him to hang out and give him advice. Don asks Todd what's the worst that could happen - and Todd says to go back to his normal life. He says that it's not that bad, but for Todd, who hasn't really had much in terms of responsibility, it could be devastating.
Less devastating is him going to the premiere of Starsky and Hutch, and a chance to interview celebrities, including Amy Smart, who he supposedly has a crush on. When he's on the red carpet, there were a few people who did see him - but not the throng of fans that he expected. He meets Dave Navarro from Jane's Addiction, and Todd tells him that he's kicking Todd's ass in the ratings. If a show by Jane's Addiction is kicking Todd Tv's Ass, then it's enough said.
Next up - Amy Smart, as Todd asks her out for a date. She politely declines and Todd hits himself in the head with a microphone. At least he did it so we don't have to do it for him.
For Todd's last rounds of submissions, someone suggests that the production crew tells him what to do. These lovely activities include doing laundry, telling a producer's girlfriend why the producer hasn't been home, carrying a camera for ten minutes and having the cameraman imitate Todd, ad having Todd giving one of the male tech crew members a foot massage. Uh...yeah. Finally, he has to hug everyone on the set and tell them how much he loves them. Most of the time, he apologizes to them too, which leads me to believe that he hasn't exactly been the easiest person to play in the sandbox with.
Remember when Todd had that 'off-camera' conversation that made it to the air? Well Jim MOrton, the producer (and the person who let it get o the air) was with Todd when the segment went on, and he said that Todd took it better than thought. Todd says that if America votes no because of that, then at least America will know how he felt. He does get some redemption, as we end the segment with Todd trying out and riding the motorcycle that he bought - and that may be taken away from him in 45 minutes. He does say that if America lets him keep the bike, then he will be driving to Colorado on the bike.
With the last episode here, it's time to sew up some loose ends - like Todd getting that colonic. Todd makes good on the promise, and sure enough, he gets it - and loses a pound of goop. Todd says that he'll never get it done voluntarily ever again.
Loos end tying #2 - the demo with Don Was. Todd gets a demo - but this time, it's him that is calling the shots with him playing guitar, his friend Adrian playing drums, and his other friend Paul working on the vocals. He's trying to have Paul sing it, but Paul, who is frustrated with Todd (and frustration seems to be the theme when dealing with Todd), tells Todd to do the vocals himself. He didn't want to, and he really didn't want to perform in front of the cameras and lights. He does sing in the dark, and he rattled off a song hat he could live with and that Don liked.
Next step? a meeting with Tim Devine and Dan McCarroll, who are music executives. Todd plays the demo for them, and they say that it needs a little more work. They say that he is talented, but the look on their face says that they are trying to be nice. 'We're not saying you're there yet, but we're saying - why are you giving up so soon?' Don is pulling for him, but it's apparent that he has a lot of improvement to go.
One of those groups that agree with that assessment is B9, who seems less than thrilled that he is there. They are grateful for the opportunity, but it seems like the event was only there for closure as Todd watched them perform.
Todd meets with Asya, who told him that he should have brought a notebook - which he forgot. She tells him to go to Mirror Media's website - something which she told him to do also, which he also forgot to do. Todd accuses her of going too fast, but it would be much easier if he brought his notebook and remembered this. She talks to him about the South By Southwest conference (which he has never heard about) and she tells him that he needs to go to the conference to take notes and write up music reviews, which will, in turn, be put on the website. He thanks Asya - and then says after the meeting that the work will be better once Asya switches off of Decaf. Todd seems to have no clue on how the industry works and even if he keeps the job, I don't expect him to be lasting long.
Next up - the last therapy session with Dr. Pavlo. Todd is happy that he got to speak his mind, and he was happy that he can take a lot of lessons from it. He thinks that he's been very patient and a very good sport, but I don't think that he gets it. The doctor warns him that it could change his behavior, and he says that that's the last thing that he wants is to be in the spotlight. Heh. The doc says that she enjoyed working with him because he was a challenged. Todd gives Dr. Pavlo a hug - and he's ecstatic that he never has to deal with therapy ever again. Dr. Pavlo hopes that some of the messages went through. Did they? I doubt it.
Todd goes back to the beach - and he realizes that he doesn't want to come back. He also walks into people who voted for him to return to his old lifestyle - because they missed him. Well, I can now understand where he got the mentality from. Todd goes to visit his old roommates, who says that he looks healthier, to the borderline of almost professional. Todd's reaction? 'Here's the worst case scenario - I have to go back and live with you two schmucks again.' The roommates have said that they don't mind if he comes back...
...but how will the restaurant that he worked at react, with the bosses both desperately happy to get rid of him the first time? Todd asked for his old job back, but they both said that they don't have any shifts available. What does this really mean? In their mind, they are saying 'Whoopee, we got you out of our life - there is NO way, short of being forced at knifepoint by a band of hostile mariachi singers, are you coming back here again'.
It's time for the final Todd Hall, and the people in the final hall include Todd, Carly, Dr Pavlo, Daniels DeCriscio, Renee the love mechanic, Dr John the radio therapist, Dave, Gina the ex, Andrea the ex-fun buddy, Matt the ex-roommate, Bob the singing telegram person, Brent, replacement Todd, B9, sand Scott. Carly thought that he finally understood halfway through the experience, while they are all talking about getting him to see Dr Pavlo if America votes for him to go back to his normal life.
George gets Todd from his room and has him come down to meet everyone. We get a final look at what's at stake - the contract, the job, the clothes, all of the money, the motorcycle, and the recap - well no, not the recap, but we have to go through it anyways, as we see the transformation from Todd the waiter to Todd the aspiring music writer (though what's the difference?).
Todd says that he has learned a new level of patience - but he has had an unbelievable experience, regardless of what happens. George gives Todd a surprise - from Bret Michaels. Bret adds something to the equation - if America says yes, then Bret will take Todd on the road with them - and he will have Todd perform with them in concert in Boston...
...that is - if America lets him. According to America, 78% of you says that Todd...should keep the new Todd and all of the goodies. Todd pumps his fist and yells 'That's what I'm talking about, America!...I am forever indebted to you America...I want to thank you very much for helping me to establish my music career and I will try my hardest, with every fiber in my being, to not to let you down. Rock And Roll.'
To end it, George tells Todd that he gets his privacy and free will back. Todd thanks George, thanks America, and the last time we see him is Todd standing with his dog (which he also gets to keep). Fade to black.
My take? Well, I actually liked the premise of the idea. Sure, it's ED-TV all over again, but I think it could have been fun to see someone take direction and be transformed from a shlub to someone, and to see that person really be affected by what has happened. That being said, the person who selected Todd should be tortured on sight. They could not have picked a less likable, less charismatic, less appreciative person to play that role. Instead of getting someone who felt really honored to have that opportunity, we get someone who was so nonchalant that lt looked at the beginning like he didn't understand the point of the show and couldn't care less - and apparently by the ratings, the audience agreed. If George did do a real poll in that episode with the Todd replacement in the wings on whether to replace Todd, I think at that point, the audience would have said yes.
Todd claimed to have changed his tune in the middle, but I saw the same old Todd at the end and I really feel like once the cameras stop that he will not take advantage of what he has been given. That's too bad, because there is nothing worse then a show with a great concept and lousy execution. I actually thought that the show would be good - but it was Todd's attitude, and not the producer, that contributed to his own and (looking at the ratings) show's demise. I don't think there will be a second season, which is too bad, because I really love to have seen what they would have done if they had ANYONE else in the role instead of who we got. I give Todd a D and the rest of the show (which, unfortunately, I have to weigh due to the actions of Todd) a C-.
We'll see if FX decides to be daring again for another season, but it looks like the experiment will be tossed away with the rest of Frankenstein's unused parts. This is Gordon Pepper, and I think you for reading the mad scientist's journal.
