Popularity Contest, Episode 8: A Kiss is Just a Kiss

Popularity Contest - A show where ten city clickers invade a small town in Texas, in hopes of winning the residents over. The entire town of Vega, population 936, is involved in the show, and it’s the town folks themselves who will decide who will be voted the most popular new resident of Vega. The contestants are competing for $100,000, which they will split with the townsperson of their choice. Every three days a town vote will be held at the County Barn and the losing contestant will be escorted out of town by the sheriff.

The remaining contestants, in order of current most popular are:

1. Alex - Baseball Scout
2. Rory – Chef
3. Jose – Model

There is one matter of business left before the Town Meeting can adjourn. Contestants must be matched with a new host family. Vega child Rayleigh is brought to the stage to pull host family names from a cowboy hat. Just pick one! The first family called is Middleton, who snatches up Alex, followed by the Harle family who chooses Rory. Jose, once again, is a man without a home. The next name chosen is Parsley and like Paul Jackson last week, Jaylene Parsley isn't happy to be taking on Jose. She hosted him before and it wasn't pretty. He is hoping that his newly acquired angelic and religious persona will redeem him.

Rory is pleased to be staying with the Harle family again. She has missed their wonderful shower! She promises to keep it clean, her mouth that is! Once again Alex is staying in a Rory voting household. He and the Middletons talk about pop/rock being his musical preference. That information has just earned him a frown. He feels cheated. They obviously like Rory so why did they pick him? Meanwhile Jose is going to try to fix his previous impression for the Parsley family. Mom Parsley acknowledges a change, "Even if it's all for show there's gotta be something in there!" Everyone says he's 22 going on 16. She wants to be able to report at the Voting Ceremony that he has grown up... he is 22 going on 23!

The contestants all have to give a speech at the Vega Kiwanis Club meeting. While Alex organizes his thoughts, Jose heads off to the Dairy Queen for some last minute brainstorming. He gathers his buddies to help him out. Should he talk of his upbringing? Experience? Values? Pets? Hmm. His pals aren't much help.

Arriving early to the Kiwanis Meeting allows for the contestants to work the room and grab some food. Rory plops her butt down next to Quincy. "Can I sit here?" (Do I see Quincy shudder?) The residents and contestants are all there. The Kiwanis Club members are important businessmen and Alex wants to impress them. The Club President introduces Alex as the first speaker.

Alex reminds the town folk of his career as a baseball scout. As he rambles on Quincy shares her thoughts. Her first impression when Alex took to the stage was YUCK. "He's Mr. Suit and Tie and fixed hair and YUCK. He also has a positive attitude and the morals to pull this off." Alex finishes his speech saying other than the day he walked down the aisle with his wife, being in Vega has been the single greatest experience of his life. Final words of wisdom are voiced. "If there is something you want to do in life... go for it!"

Next to speak is Jose. Admitting he isn't much of a speaker, he tells of his family, "I've got a mom and dad, a fraternal twin brother" (yada), then mentions his hobbies of running and eating, which everyone already knows. He's had some great experiences in Vega and that about as good as his speech is going to get. His speech scores well receiving both laughter and applause from the audience.

Rory takes the podium and says that she feels that she has become a part of the community. She has made a lot of great friends along with learning things about herself she had long forgotten. She sees so much potential in Vega and plans to open a restaurant there. Quincy thinks that Rory's restaurant will kill the Hickory Inn business even though the Inn folks support her. She thinks Rory is just evil!

Host Jonathan now gathers the contestants for the Community Service Project. They are going to visit the Vega Veterinary Hospital and bathe some dirty dogs. The town folk have brought their furry best friends for coiffing! Vega's newest residents are lathering, rinsing, and brushing fools. Boo pup has never been fluffier! Luke smells like a new dog! Rory took charge and was in full scrub swing. Alex was the candy man handing out doggie treats. Jose has allergies but it didn't bother him much. He really enjoyed bathing the town canine beauties!

Once the Service Project is completed, the contestants get a little free time. Alex returns to the Middleton home to take care of some household business. He had left a messy room and an unmade bed and Charlotte Middleton is less than pleased. She respects his privacy and didn't touch a thing, but wants her home kept neat. Alex can feel her getting colder and colder towards him and he doesn't appreciate it. He is sorry he didn't make his bed. Really! It won't happen again.

Rory goes to the Jackson home to make fudge with Myrna. Fudge is not the only thing that will be getting dosed with sugar overkill in the Jackson kitchen. Quincy sits at the table as Rory plants a kiss on her cheek and surrounds her with a hug. "Do you feel like you've just been hugged by the anti-Christ?" Quincy, holding her face nods yes, praying for God to help her. She doesn't even know why she's talking to Rory.