MONDO EXTRAS

Back in the guys' limo, Eric says his life has been crazy. His career isn't going in the direction he wants. Norm looks concerned for him. Eric says he doesn't want to be an actor for the rest of his life. When was he ever an actor? He was on The Grind and he did some workout tapes. He had a small part in Above The Rim and he played himself on Days of Our Lives. He's not an actor. He's a personality! Anyway, Eric's ready to "attack the world with a message of peace and love." Is he serious with this? Norm, who I expected to burst out laughing, says that Eric has "done the Hollywood thing" and now he wants to use his influence. What are they talking about? Maybe it's just the benefit of nearly five years of added insight, but they are on crack. They arrive at the airport, and Norm says he'll be supportive of Eric's career. Eric leads them to Southwest when they are looking for Sky West. Norm cracks, "Sorry, Rach, we couldn't find you because Eric tried to save the world." See, that's what I'm talking about. That's the Norm I remember. They finally find the right spot and Rachel gets off the plane. Rach says she's met both Eric and Norm before, and she loves Norm. Ooh, she conspicuously didn't say that she loves Eric. Interesting. Norm carries her bag for her, and tells us that he has a little crush on her and that he's "bi-coastal" and he thinks she's cute. Okay, the bi-coastal/bisexual joke officially isn't funny anymore.

Back in the chicks' limo, Heather is saying that "they are mad phony, yo." She adds that she doesn't want to "pre-judge" the other casts, but she thought they were phony. Well, I think she did just pre-judge them. Heather isn't saying that they had the best season, but Julie is. I think so too, but this will be a recurring theme throughout the show -- the snobbishness of the NY cast. Let me just say that their experience was very different than the other casts. They didn't know what they were getting into, sure. But the producers were also not as manipulative and adept at editing, and the cast was not reduced to stereotypes as much, I don't think. So going first cuts both ways.

Jon from LA is singing at the Hard Rock Nashville. He tells us he doesn't know how to feel about the reunion. He's been touring for a few years and he's back and it's another life. Beth S. and Irene from LA pick him up at the airport. Irene tells us she keeps his picture on her desk. Okay, that's a little weird. I mean, they did have a close friendship during their season, and the producers intimated that Jon was in love with Irene, but it just seems weird. Irene claims that she is not naming her next son after Jon, so she must get that a lot. Jon exits the plane and hugs Beth and Irene. Irene mentions that she talked to his dad. See, their relationship is a little weird. Beth asks him what it was like opening for Alabama, and we see a clip of Jon performing in front of a huge crowd. Irene is excited to see his career taking off. Jon says he recently signed a deal with Capitol Records. I checked, and I couldn't find any information about if he is still on a label at all, which means he's probably not. It's making me kind of sad to watch this, and see the big plans these people have made, but knowing what happens afterwards is pretty much nothing. Okay, I'm over it now. Thought I was getting soft there, didn't you? Jon wants to see Irene's baby. Irene says it doesn't seem like they were ever apart. Jon makes a comment about Beth's bleached blonde hair. Jon hopes for a good experience, not a bad one and Beth says it will be good.