By Jackie Helm

Last night on Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch, I was excited to learn that two ladies will be getting cut at one time.  I hate suspense and can’t wait to know who Chad will choose to be his girl.  If two ladies are cut per episode, then we will find out who the winner much sooner (I hope!).  For now, my money is on Rubi! 

Chad explained his “sweet 16” bracket system in detail.  The ladies are ranked from #1 (his favorite= Rubi, the sexy Latin beauty) to #16 (the underdog= Candice, the star struck Blonde).  One half of the girls are on the blue team and the other half are on the red team.  Each girl is also listed in a “match-up” with another girl.  He will take each team on a group outing.  Later, he’ll take two girls from the match-up in that group on a personal date.  Then, from that match-up, one girl is eliminated and the others move to the next level in the bracket.  Then, he will do the same with the other team.  Clear as mud?  Okay, keep up!

The Blue Team’s group outing was right out the back door.  Chad graciously provided the girls with all white swimwear for a fun day in the sun.  He commented that the girls wore their bikini’s well.  The ladies (and viewers) equally got their kicks as Chad disrobed.

After a little volleyball in the pool, Chad asked why they were there and why they should be picked to go on a special date.  Rubi said her sister signed her up and she only stayed because she likes him.  Oddly, Candice stated she made friends with Chad’s friends as a way to get in.  This obviously came from a guilty conscious for “almost” giving T.O. the goods, I mean the digits. Crystal said that due to her being Hispanic, she became attracted to Chad when he changed his last name to Ochocinco. Ummm. 

Sweet, shy Emma said she was there for Chad and that he makes her laugh.  This “awww” comment was apparently better than the other “uh duhhh” comments and won Emma the personal date.  Emma’s match-up on the bracket was Ericka and they both scurried off to get pretty. They were excited for the personal date, but this also meant that one girl from the match-up would be eliminated that evening.  Ericka bragged that although she was ranked #9 and Emma was #8, she had no worries and would “overpower Emma in conversation, looks and personality”.

Emma and Ericka accompanied Chad on a helicopter ride to Santa Barbara where they enjoyed a seafood feast on the beach.  During his alone time with Ericka, Chad learned that she had dated athletes in the past and had been engaged to one.  Ericka felt this gave her insight to the life of an athlete; but it gave Chad some reserve about her.  While Chad was alone with Emma, she admitted she was shy, but felt that it would give Mr. Outgoing Ochocinco some balance.

Later, the Red Team’s group outing was right out the front door.  Chad arranged a tailgating party fully equipped with body painted men, beer and barbeque.  The purpose was to see how the ladies could to relate to his biggest, craziest fans.  Barbie dolls, Tara and Angela, were clearly out of their element.  When Tara was asked who her favorite team was, she replied that she like every team and later held an interesting conversation about the pretty door handles on the house.  After the fun was over, Chad got the scoop from his fans.  Hilariously, the fans liked the two girls (Lisa and April) who could prepare healthy food for Chad to eat.  Chad remarked that he appreciated the fans input; however, they were obviously looking out for Chad AND the Bengals!

Chad’s choice for the personal date from the Red Team was Jasmine who seems pretty cool.  The girl on her match-up was Angela who seems fuller than full of herself.  In fact, Angela said she’s not worried about being eliminated because she is ranked #4 and Jasmine is #13.  In addition to that she has no kids, has graduated from college and has never been married.

Lisa overheard Angela saying that she wouldn’t eat much on the date and she ran to Jasmine to fill her in.  Lisa advised Jasmine to eat normally as Chad loves food.  Angela peeped out the whispers and snapped at Lisa for being annoying and a minor battle emerged.  They threw out some cheap shots and Angela brought up the fact that Lisa has a child.  Naturally, this got Lisa pumped up and they both threatened to whoop some tail, but of course they didn’t.

Angela and Jasmine went on to dine with Chad for their personal date.  Surprise, surprise!! Chad was secretly showing the date on USTREAM, so that his fans could weigh in on the girls.  Jasmine and Chad had a great vibe, but Angela piped up that he needed passion more than just a homie.  Angela went on to brag that she was extremely independent with no baggage and wanted Chad, but didn’t need him.  Although Angela is strikingly beautiful and it took 4 girls to help Jasmine zip up her dress, Chad wondered if baggage-less Angela could handle his baggage!

The double elimination ceremony followed and Chad actually took his fans comments into consideration and he chose personality over beauty!  He told Angela that beautiful people are all over the place but a good heart and sense of humor are harder to find.  He said that although Angie is gorgeous, Jasmine has more to her!

When it came down to Emma vs. Ericka, Chad wondered if he was just another guy on Ericka’s roster.  But he decided to take a chance and see because Emma went home for being too shy.

Ericka and Jasmine moved their pictures over to the next level in the bracket.  Next week, the claws continue to come out and Chad tests the ladies flexibility in a yoga class - for health reasons of course!

Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch airs Sundays at 9/8c on VH1.

(Image courtesy of VH1)

Follow Jackie at twitter.com/justjackieshow