And that’s just a “surprised” exclamation, not necessarily a disappointed one. Although, I am a little dissatisfied with Make It or Break It’s decision to go so heavy on sex and sexy. Why fall back on defaults when you don’t need it?

Even so, the fashion show provided us with a nice glimpse into some of the mother/daughter dynamics on the show. Payson (Ayla Kell) and Kim (Peri Gilpin), Emily (Chelsea Hobbs) and Chloe (Susan Ward), Lauren (Cassie Scerbo) and Dad’s girlfriend Summer (Candace Cameron Bure). But, by the way; where was everyone else? Realizing that the show focuses on a core group, why was there virtually no other mothers present in the initial fundraising meeting, or at the fashion show itself? Is the budget too tight at ABC Family for a large ensemble of extras?

Before I forget; I should apologize to Frannie (Tiffany Dupont) from Greek…. Read the rest of this entry »

And yet, I’m seriously enjoying her. This is Julia Stiles, 2.0, people. You’ve got to embrace it when that kind of anomaly transpires.

So, good stuff this week on Make It or Break It. I wrote last week about the show needing to keep a good balance; I think the punishment that the girls received, which involved both gymnastics and their personal lives, really solidified the show’s ability to not get lost in athletics, while still not giving us too much teen-angst. Sure, it’s there in the form of the Kaylie (Josie Loren) / Lauren (Cassie Scerbo) / Carter (Zachary Abel) triangle, to name but one saga, but Payson’s (Ayla Kell) habit of irritatingly staying focused on gymnastics alone, focuses the entire show with it.

I suppose I can understand why Emily (Chelsea Hobbs) wants to keep her job a secret from the people at the Rock. As arbitrary as it may seem to me, if the rules say no outside job, there’s no further discussion needed. But, why was she so adamant about hiding her gymnastics from her co-workers? I get shyness, but this seemed like something more, like maybe she’s had a bad experience with all of that somewhere in the past. But then she goes and does a standing tuck, or whatever, in the middle of the Pizza Shack. Weird. Read the rest of this entry »

I had an inner battle over admitting this, but I’ve finally decided to come clean: yes, I have been watching ABC Family’s new show, Make It or Break It. The ridicule may now begin.

Ah, the shame of admitting that we enjoy something that seems so unlike us. But, I’m taking a page out of Ivey’s book, who has come clean about his love affair with Gossip Girl (I had to, Ivey!). This is simply something I needed to get off my chest.

The truth, however, is that Greek wasn’t necessarily in my wheelhouse, either. When I first heard about it, it seemed very much like any other teen-sensation show that generally doesn’t appeal to me. Yet, while it certainly is built for a younger crowd (not to say that I’m old), Greek still speaks to something inside of me, and I really love it.

While I’m not prepared to go that far with Make It or Break It at this point, I can say that the show has definite merits. First of all, it co-stars Erik Palladino (as Coach Marty Walsh), a manly man if there ever was one. The guy has been popping up everywhere, lately, and it’s nice to see his talent get some appreciation with a steady gig (although he was noticeably absent in episode three). Read the rest of this entry »