Reality TV News

By William "The Champ" Millender

(author's note: Thanks, Will for sharing your thoughts after these first two episodes!)


Stage Two has come to an end and it's finally time to talk about those terrible two struggles. I ended stage one on a rough note with chaffing being an issue and I started off stage two just as rough. I remember the day being very hard to accomplish. I struggled to get to the end of that day in time. Shea and a couple of others had come back for Anthony and myself and just finishing that route up for the day was very hard. Lorrie and Shea, literally, pulled me through to the end point, up a hill, to make sure I got there in time, which was down to the minute of our end time for that day.

AS THE MARCHERS PASS THE 200-MILE MARK, TENSIONS REACH A BOILING POINT,

AND A BIG SURPRISE AWAITS THEM IN NEW YORK CITY, ON ABC'S "FAT MARCH,"

AUGUST 20

"Episode 103" - The marchers rejoice as they exceed the 200-mile mark,

but a huge blow up is in the offing among Matt, Will and Anthony, as

tensions mount. Then, time stands still in Times Square when the walkers

get a very big surprise in New York City, on "Fat March," MONDAY, AUGUST

20 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

The marchers set out from New Haven, Connecticut with $80,000 prize

money left for each contestant. Physical ailments are causing rapid

deterioration: Matt's knees are in such pain that he feels they may be

ruined beyond repair and worries that he may not be able to continue.

Will struggles to get a grip on the physical and mental pressures that

are impeding his ability to complete the journey; and Wendy is rushed to

the hospital.

The remaining six comics are tasked with making six very different people laugh, including six "Deal or No Deal" models, in their second challenge -- Speed Laughing. At the end of the challenge, the "laughers" vote for their favorite comic, who will be granted immunity in the head to head voting. After the challenge, the comics vote for this week's head to head performers, the comic with the most votes picks an opponent and those two will perform the last head to head showdown where the theater audience votes for their favorite, and the other comic is sent home. Alonzo Bodden, ANT and Kathleen Madigan are the talent scouts and actor and comedian Bill Bellamy ("Def Comedy Jam") hosts the Emmy-nominated series.

On last night's special results show, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE host Cat Deeley announced that Lauren Gottlieb and Pasha Kovalev were eliminated from the competition based on total votes received after the Top 6 dancers performed on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Gottlieb, 19, is a contemporary/jazz dancer from Scottsdale, AZ; and Kovalev, 27, is a Latin Ballroom dancer from Fort Lee, NJ.

First, Yay! This episode showed more personality, and delved deeper into the relationships between the marchers. I was hoping for that last week, and was pleased to see that I got what I asked for.

Stage 2 of Fat March started with an 11.5 mile walk, and it seemed like right away, Chantal was rubbing people the wrong way. The marchers were weary from walking, and her drive to lead the pack caused some friction. Chantal doesn't mince words, and speaks what's on her mind, whatever's on her mind at that moment. Not everyone appreciated it.