Melissa... Thanks so much for having a blog surrounding The Next Food Network Star! You're insights were dead on and you made me laugh numerous times (couldn't wait to read your next entry). I was very disappointed that the Food Network didn't have a blog for the show and was trying to keep it a "controlled environment", at least Bravo's Top Chef posts blogs with viewer comments. Many people on Rory's MySpace page were commenting that since Amy was eliminated and JAG was disqualified that Rory should have been the winner because she was the last one standing. I personally see all the prior challenges just as a means to narrowing it down to two contestants for the FINAL challenge: The viewer's vote (e.g. Popularity Contest). Do you agree with that assessment? Guess that makes two popularity losses in a row for Rory. There seems to be a lot of debate as to whether or not any of the contestants this time around had "star" quality. Guy Fieri definately is a rising star on the network... when they give you a prime time spot with a show like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, you've made it. While Amy was my top choice from the get go (with Paul a close second from an entertainment standpoint), do you think she's got a future past the pilot run?