September 29, 2003
By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
One viewer's impressions of the desires and deceptions this week on Fox's island of seduction.
Watching a videotape of her
boyfriend Anthony gently stroking another woman's hair as they lie next
to each other on a hammock, Chicago hairstylist/model Stephanie shed a
tear.
When the host of "Temptation
Island 3" asked if she was going to be OK, Stephanie answered, "I'm always
gonna be all right."
And we believe her. Because
no matter what Anthony may be doing on the other side of the island with
any of the single women, Stephanie is her own person. And she's the gal
the single guys are most fighting over.
Her connection with Jeff
caused Derrick to request to go home early from the show. And much to my
chagrin, the women agreed to let him leave.
"I don't want to look like
I'm clinging," Derrick said. "I don't like being messed in my head."
Stephanie, who had previously
spent most of her time with Derrick, admitted she was confused about Jeff.
"Everything changed after
Jeff," she said. "Jeff is very nice, sincere ... but overwhelming." Sighing,
she added, "I want to go home."
I'm not sure exactly what
kind of power Jeff wields over these women. Sure, he's nice enough looking
in a smarmy way. But he's no Derrick. And now, thanks to Jeff, there's
no more Derrick sightings to be had, which is unfortunate because he was
the only reason I even wanted to tune in anymore. The series has gotten
increasingly melodramatic and long-winded. Last week's 2-hour episode dragged
on and seemed twice as long. Hopefully tonight's 2-hour season finale will
be worth the wait.
Meanwhile, Anthony obviously
has a crush on Ashley. He said he feels about her the way he felt about
Stephanie when they first met. Um, dude -- that's called the thrill
of the chase.
Watching Stephanie on her
date with single Michael, Anthony said, "It's flirting. ...I'm flirting
also. But the thing is when I do go home, it's Stephanie I'll take home."
I'm not so sure about that.
Obviously bothered by the hammock scene, Stephanie admitted, "That to me
is so much more intimate than someone making out."
Speaking of making out,
Melissa got an eyeful of her boyfriend, Michael, putting the not-so-subtle
moves on Tiffany.
"He's got a lot of dirty
things to say when no one's listening," Tiffany says, apparently not aware
she's listening and passively encouraging his dirty talk.
I know I said in an earlier
column that Tiffany was gorgeous. I take it back. The more she talks, the
uglier she gets. Right now, she looks downright horseyfaced. Either she
is an evil little witch who revels in others' misery or the show's editors
have cut her segments to make her appear that way.
When Sandra breaks out into
tears after Jason accuses her of spreading rumors about him, Tiffany all
but giggles at her misery.
And so much for sisterhood.
The girls afterward said they felt bad for her, but not one of them came
to her defense as Jason chewed her out.
Some highlights from last week's episode:
Best retort: "Well, I'm not the one still living at home with my mother." Kristin, after Melissa calls her a sheltered little girl.
Most melodramatic outburst: "I'm scared to death she's going to come into my room and strangle me." Kristin, after fighting with Melissa.
Most telling comment: "All you have to do all day long is think about what you're doing." Stephanie, pondering the Anthony-Jeff-Derrick situation.
Most shocking observation: "I've never heard him talk that way. I don't understand what he's thinking. He doesn't even curse around me." Melissa, after hearing Michael talk dirty to Tiffany.
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