What started as a minor inconvenience has turned down right annoying.

And Robin isn't only getting under our skin. Her castmates think she's a no-talent loon, too.

Last night was torture for the Top Cheffers, and not just because they had to deconstruct classic comfort foods.

The night started with a very classy tribute to fallen kitchen comrade Mattin. Apparently, the dainty Frenchman was way more popular than we ever suspected and the remaining chefs all tied red scarves around their necks to pay respect to him. We teased Mattin quite a bit in this space but that was pretty cool.

The Quickfire Challenge introduced us to James Beard award winner Michelle Bernstein, who asked the chefs to make a dual dish that spotlighted both the angel on their right shoulders and the devil that resides on their left. It was an interesting challenge and Kevin provided some keen insight into Bernstein's likes and dislikes, telling his peers that she's known for favoring simple flavors.

Enter Robin, the chatty non-trad who has lasted about five weeks longer than we thought she would. Whereas the rest of the cast seems to be extremely tight (see the Mattin tribute), Robin is clearly the outsider. Maybe it's her age, maybe it's her obnoxious red hair or maybe it's simply her abrasive personality, but whatever the reason the others are just not having it. They didn't even give her a red scarf until she practically begged for one.

So you can imagine the unanimous disgust when Robin won the Quickfire (and immunity) with an arugula salad and apple crisp, simple foods for a judge who likes simple. Pretty smart, Robin! Oh yeah, and Robin introduced her food by explaining that the dishes were inspired by her bout with cancer and her struggles to eat right. It seemed like an awkward time to talk about the illness but Bernstein seemed to eat it up.

Unlike her opponents, we're not convinced Robin brought up her cancer to gain favor with the judges. It seemed like a pretty genuine explanation for her food, really. Plus, we don't think Robin is manipulative enough to hatch such a plot. That said, we totally get why Laurine and Eli spoke out about what they thought of the move. And oh my were they pissed!

At the Bottom of the challenge were two no-brainers (Ash, with his ill-conceived custard, and Ron, with his bone-in Chilean sea bass) and one shocker (title contender Bryan Voltaggio, who made a pair of frozen yogurts that left the judges saying, "Meh"). And if getting spanked by the judges wasn't enough to piss Bryan off, he had to watch brother Michael get favorited with his pair of salmon bites that nearly delivered Bernstein to orgasm. Eli also impressed with his scallop in brown butter sauce and joined Robin and Michael at the head of the class. Michael's confit couldn't trump cancer and crisp, however, and Robin got the nod.

On to the Elimination Challenge, which was introduced by Vegas Strip kingpins Penn & Teller, who deconstructed a magic trick before the chefs drew knives to decide which traditional dishes they were assigned to make non-traditional.

As viewers, we loved this challenge because it forced the chefs to get creative with both their concepts and their presentions. But not everyone embraced the deconstruction twist.

Mike Isabella drew eggs Florentine, which he called "eggs foreign to me," because he couldn't name the country of origin much less the key ingredients. Kevin drew chicken mole, which offered our Ginger Bear a chance at redemption for his duck mole that bombed last week. Ashely got pot roast, even though she admitted that she never really dug pot roast because a) her family couldn't afford meat and b) she found the texture icky. Laurine got fish and chips, which reminded us that British brat Toby Young was making his unwelcome return as a head judge. Sigh. Laurine wasn't the only one to draw an English dish; Ash got shepherd's pie. Ouch. Poor Ron got a dish he was comfortable with (paella) but he never really grasped the spirit of the challenge. Unfortunately, that's been par for the course for Ron in this competition. Likeable guy, but he's clearly overmatched by the game. Eli drew the oddest dish of the bunch, sweet and sour pork, but was never fazed. We know some people who think Eli is an asshole but we find his bravado (as well as his skin-tight tees that barely contain his beer belly) very charming. What about the show's heavy hitters? The Voltaggios are no strangers to deconstruction (what a surprise, right?); Michael drew Caesar salad and brother Bryan got stuck with a Reuben. Both seemed more than confident. And Jen, who is usually cool, calm and collected, was all kinds of frazzled by her meat lasagne assignment.

In the kitchen, most everyone was a bit off their game. Eli's pressure cooker exploded. Laurine couldn't figure out how she was going to deconstruct french fries. Mike I. couldn't find a single soul who knew what the hell goes into eggs Florentine (congenial Ron tried to help but described eggs Benedict). Robin was pissing everyone off with her immunity and mindless chatter (especially Laurine, who looked like she might punch Robin in the throat just to stop the words from coming out of her mouth). And Jen, she was so stressed she was avoiding Tom like he was trying to serve her with a photo radar citation.

It was really fun watching the chefs work their way through the challenge. For all her whining and self-doubt, Jen blew the judges' skirts up with her lasagne and ended up in the Top, along with Mike V. and his too-clever-for-words Caesar salad, Ashley and her killer pot roast, and Kevin, who dazzled the judges with his uber-complex mole dish that had no fewer than 12 components. Kevin got the win but instead of a $15K chip he won a set of cookware that probably goes for $55 at Kohl's. This is Vegas, after all, and everything is at the mercy of chance.

Then there were the Bottoms. No surprises here, with Ash, Laurine and Ron stepping up to judges' table with hats in hand. Toby destroyed Ash for not including any potatoes in his shepherd's pie. Laurine got drilled for only giving the judges two dinky potato crisps with their fish (she made more but only 14 crisps were worth of being plated). Then there was Ron, whose paella was nothing short of a disaster. Not only was it not deconstructed but it wasn't even good. Sorry, Ron. You made us laugh but in the end your food just wasn't very good. Ron may have gotten the axe but Ash and Laurine can't feel good about their prospects. Ash in particular has been in the Bottom of almost every challenge and if he doesn't step up his game he'll be sharing a cab with Ron home.

And what about Robin? Well, you know the old saying about how the only things that will survive a nuclear war are Twinkies and cockroaches? We might want to add Robin to that list.

As for Fantasy Top Chef, nobody got points for Robin's Quickfire win because, well, she was the only chef who didn't get drafted. Your favorite bloggers received 8 points for Kevin's Elimination win. We should also mention that we're down to 6 teams since Stinger's picks of Pretti and Mattin have both been eliminated.

Here are some bits and pieces to look forward to (or avoid) this week in film, TV and music:

Monday

CBS runs out season premieres of "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men," "Big Bang Theory" and "Accidentally On Purpose." We're looking forward to three of these shows and the other one stars Jenna Elfman. Quick note to the creators of HIMYM: Don't couple up Robin and Barney. It's a preposterous idea.

ABC counters with "Dancing With the Stars," featuring hipster stoner Macy Gray, smiley Mormon Donny Osmond, "Playmaker" Michael Irvin, Necessary Roughnessstar Kathy Ireland, former House majority leader Tom DeLay, Kelly Osbourne, one of the Carter brothers, one-time relevant R&B singer Mya, Fran Drescher clone Debi Mazar and UFC star Chuck Liddell. We seldom make guarantees here (ha!) but we can guarantee that we won't watch one second of this horseshit. That said, we don't know the rules or anything but we'll bet you $5 "Iron Chef Amerca" Chairman Mark Dacascos will win the whole freaking thing. We've seen enough of his backflips to know that he means business.

NBC's "Heroes" also makes its season debut but that show stopped being relevant about three years ago so whatever.

Tuesday

In addition to new releases from Three Days Grace, Monsters of Folk (featuring M. Ward, Conor Oberst and My Morning Jacket's Jim James), Yoko Ono and KISS spaceman Ace Frehley, Danger Danger's highly anticipated "Revolve" drops. Yes, that Danger Danger. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that Pearl Jam's "Backspacer" came out on Sunday, which is weird. The release date, not the album, which by all accounts is TOAS.

Feel like making it a Blockbuster night before the company goes the way of the dinosaur? Well, then just run right out and pay $5.69 to see Matt McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Or, we'll cut you a deal and you can pay us $4 to kick you squarely in the nuts. Seth Rogen's Observe and Report and "30 Rock: Season 3" also hit stores.

On the boob tube, "NCIS: Los Angeles" makes its series debut on CBS. This is a sideshow to the Mark Harmon vehicle "NCIS" and stars LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell. No, seriously.

Wednesday

If you're not watching "Sons of Anarchy," well, we can't really help you, but you get another shot at 10 p.m. If you require additional incentive, there's Costco-sized portions of graphic violence, sexual content and filthy language.

If singing, dancing and lackluster writing is more your thing, check out "Glee" on FOX. Or, read Internet friend Brandon's take and avoid it like a coughing homeless person.

Thursday

We're pretty stoked about ABC's "FlashForward" (9 p.m., see inset photo), even if it smells like a bit of a "LOST" rip job.

Emmy dominating "30 Rock" doesn't premiere until Oct. 15 so until then you'll have to settle for "The Office" (barely hanging on), "Parks & Rec" (still looking for traction) and "Community" (honestly, we still haven't watched last week's debut... our bad). 

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is the cat's pajamas and probably one of the two or three truly funny shows still on basic cable. That was a poorly written sentence but you hear us loud and clear. It's on at 10 but if you DVR it make sure to record the show slotted after "Sunny" because the gang has been guilty of using their overage minutes before.

Friday

Pretty weak crop of new movies this week, including the dreadful-looking Surrogates.

Saturday

"Saturday Night Live" is back! Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson are out, Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad are in. Megan Fox hosts and U2 performs. Really, we'll continue to watch as long as Kristen Wiig is involved.

Sunday

If you're the one who is still watching "Desperate Housewives," Season Six kicks off at 9. Does dreamy plumber Mike marry Susan or Katherine? Oh, and Lynette is still pregnant with another set of twins. Yawn.

The Simpsons begins its 20th season (!) with "Homer the Whopper," guest written by Seth Rogen, who also guest-voices. No word on whether Rogen will be skinny or fat but odds are very strong he'll be unfunny.

How was your Week One? Was it as good for you as it was for us?

The Purple Jesus staked his claim to the title of Best Player in the NFL, the Gunslinger didn't break a hip, Jay Cutler was abysmal, tight ends (Ben Watson, John Carlson, Tony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey) ruled, running backs (Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Michael Turner, Brandon Jacobs, Clint Portis) drooled, Tony Romo did much better without Terrell Owens than Terrell Owens did without Tony Romo, and our teams went a passable 4-2, which was also our record in last week's Church League picks. We made several good calls, highlighted by our prediction that Drew Brees and Randy Moss (48) would outscore Pastor Matt's entire team (45).  But we also whiffed on a gaggle of players (Thomas Jones, we're looking at you). Ice watery veins prevents us from panicking after one week, so we press on:

Pastor Mike (0-1) vs. Team Tommy (0-1)

We applaud Pastor Mike for sticking with Cutler against Pittsburgh. Our feeling on playing Cutler this week is this: If you watched the Steelers/Titans game, Tennessee didn't run the ball at all but they were able to move the ball quite well in the medium passing game. And if Kerry Collins can throw for 250 yards against the Steelers in a close game on the road, Cutler should be able to put up similar if not greater numbers playing at home in what has turned into a put up or shut up kind of game for him and the team, right? Plus, no Troy Palamalu. We see nearly 300 yards, a couple of scores, and trace amounts of redemption for the petulant Cutler. 

Along with Cutler, Pastor Mike should get a nice game from Maurice Jones-Drew, who gets to play the Cardinals defense in an early Sunday game (the Cardinals were 0-5 in East Coast day games last season), and Owen Daniels, who is a great TE play this week at Tennessee.

This one will all come down to how the Dallas offense, which looked great in Tampa Bay, fares at home against the Giants Sunday night. Romo and Witten should do enough to make up for Barber, who we don't like much this week. Also, we expect a massive game from Michael Turner. Team Tommy 76, Pastor Mike 58.

Trader Dave (1-0) vs. Pastor Matt (0-1)

Trader Dave got huge weeks from Thomas Jones, John Carlson, Greg Jennings and the Seattle defense in a Week 1 route of Pastor Mike that saw him put up 91 points. Was it all a mirage? Dude is starting Thomas Jones and Cadillac Williams (obtained in a savvy in-game pickup) along with Kevin Walter and Derrick Mason. Even with Peyton Manning that's not a lineup that screams championship but it's a whole lot better than what Pastor Matt is trucking out onto the field: Warner and Fitzgerald playing on the East Coast, Lance Moore (who got no love during the Saints' fireworks show in Week 1), LenDale White (less fat = less phat), Pierre Thomas (doubtful as a factor even if he plays) and Dustin Keller (actually, we kinda like this play). Trader Dave 59, Pastor Paul 53.

Pastor Steve (1-0) vs. Internet Mike (1-0)

What's that smell?? It's the Game of the Week! This one oozes sex appeal, especially with Pastor Steve's recent acquisition of Brandon Jacobs. Team Timmy, who lost Donovan McNabb in Week 1, sent Jacobs to Steve in exchange for Ben Roethisberger. Seems like a Timmy paid a premium price for 87 octane gas, right? Anyway, with Jacobs in Steve's stable, this matchup got a whole lot closer, but we still love Matty Ryan at home against Carolina and Chris Johnson in a bounceback game against the Texans. Not even dreamy Tom Brady can save Steve from taking one on the chins this week. Internet Mike 78, Pastor Steve 65. 

Team Timmy (1-0) vs. Little Sowers (0-1)

The Jacobs-for-Big Ben trade looks awful on the surface but Timmy was really backed into a corner. In a league where passing touchdowns get 6 points he couldn't afford to roll Shaun Hill out there until McNabb can come back (and, really, we're not terribly high on McNabb the rest of the year, either). Our kneejerk evaluation of this matchup was to give Little Sowers a relatively easy win but never underestimate the heart of a champion. Timmy loses his quarterback seemingly every year but always manages to stay relevant (last year he lost Brady and still made it to the Super Bowl). We'll still give Little Sowers the checkmark based on the strength of a big week by Kevin Smith at home against the Vikings and a 10-catch, 2 score week by Andre Johnson. Timmy keeps it close behind 20ish from the Green Bay defense and a comeback week from Steve Slaton. (Note: If you haven't caught on yet, we love the Texans (Schaub, AJ, Slaton, Walter, Daniels) on the road at Tenneseee.) Little Sowers 60, Team Timmy 59.

Pastor Kirk (1-0)  vs. Pastor Jon (0-1)

After blowing his wad with a 119-point explostion in Week 1, we think Pastor Kirk is at-risk to be upset this week by the usually subservient Pastor Jon squad. Kirk is getting a little too cute by playing Chester Taylor and Justin Gage, plus over on Jon's side we love Darren McFadden and Zach Miller playing at Kansas City and Santana Moss (potential 2 TD day) going against a putrid Rams secondary. Factor in Aaron Rodgers playing at home against the Bengals and Jon should make it very interesting. Aw, heck, let's just call this a Shocker Special. Pastor Jon 52, Pastor Kirk 51.

TFP (1-0) vs. Pastor Sowers (0-1)

We escaped with a win against Pastor Sowers' little brother last week, riding the Purple Jesus like the workhorse he is for 27 of our 66 total points. We'd be fools to bank on that kind of production from the Chosen One every Sunday. Instead, we're turning our gaze to Calvin Johnson, who was screwed out of having a huge Week 1 due to some stinky officiating. We suspect the Vikings and Lions will both score their fair share of points, so CJ, AP and Visanthe Shiancoe should all figure into the matchup. As for Pastor Sowers, we're deathly afraid of Joe Flacco, who is starting to have the "It Factor" of a leading man in a Twilight movie. On top of that, Brian Westbrook is going to be leaned on heavily by the Eagles against the unimpressive New Orleans defense. Look for karma to even out against the Sowers family tree and give the clergy the checkmark. Pastor Sowers 79, TFP 64.

You guys are gorgeous. Please enjoy this Random Song Worth Your Time.

Just when we think we have "Top Chef: Las Vegas" figured out, the producers juke us out of our jocks.

As we watched Wednesday's High Stakes Quickfire Challenge (featuring the viewers' choice ingredient cactus) and the Elimination Challenge (which took the chefs into the middle of the desert to cook up vittles for the judges and 20 or so ranch hands), we were duped into believing that if sacrificial lambs Ron or Robin weren't pinkslipped there was a slim chance Michael Voltaggio would be a surprise cut, or at least find himself at-risk.  One half of the ratings grabbing Voltaggio Brothers and a fan/judges favorite since Week One, Mike V.'s attitude was in serious need of adjustment last night. He even up in the Bottom Three of the Quickfire (deservedly won by the Voltaggios wingman, Michael Isabella), even issuing a sour grapes "I couldn't give two ounces of prairie dog piss about whether or not I can properly cook a cactus" spin after being firmly spanked by guest judge Tim Love. Love, by the way, was easily the season's best judge to date. He didn't sugarcoat his critiques, offered up some choice zingers and mixed very well with Tom C., Gail and P-Money. We hope he gets brought back later in the competition. Speaking of judges, where is Toby? Not that we miss him.

We must give some quick kudos to Laurine, who finished in the Top of both challenges, a feat rarely accomplished on "Top Chef: Las Vegas" by a non-Voltaggio. In fact, both she and Ashley were dubbed "dark horses" last night by Tom, who rarely waxes hyperbolic. Speaking of Ashley, she's climbing up our Power Rankings. She won't win but we find her to be increasingly intriguing  and she's even somewhat likeable when she's not in Angry Lesbian mode. She shared a tender moment last night while gabbing with her new-dad brother and later at the dude ranch she explained why she felt so comfortable cooking in less-than-pristine conditions. It turns out she and her brothers were raised extremely poor on a remote farm by their single mother. Her comfort level helped spur her best showing of the season (that's not just our opinion, Tom C. said the same thing at Judges' Table) and she even managed to turn in a Top Four dish, a seared halibut "club sandwich" that was universally lauded by the judges and ranch folk.

Back to the bit of subterfuge by the producers. While it was  unrealistic to think that Michael V. would somehow cook himself out of the competition, he did seem extremely annoyed by the Elimination Challenge. While some of his peers attempted to showcase hearty foods with traditional Southwestern flavors, Mike V. went all Asian on their asses with dashi miso and mirin-cured black cod. Forgive us if when we think of ranchers (City Slickers, "Bonanza," Brokeback Mountain) Asian Fusion doesn't pop into our heads. You don't tailor your menu to fit the patrons, Mike V. said. That may be true, but you also don't score points with the judges by cooking food your dining room (or dining tent in this case) might reject in principle.

Well, it should come as no surprise that Mike V. is much smarter than we are. The ranchers cooed over his cod and the judges gave him high marks for thinking outside of the box. The lesson: Never bet against a Voltaggio. He and his brother Bryan joined Ashley and Laurine in the Top Four, and while were hoping for an Ashley upset, Bryan earned his third win. We're getting a little tired of the Voltaggios and their dominance, but maybe that's just because we don't own either one in Fantasy Top Chef.

So if Mike V. was safe that meant that either Robin or Ron and their knives would be sent home on a chuckwagon, right?  Wrong. Inexplicably, Robin's mushy salad and drunken prawns (which Tom C. spit out) and Ron's far-too-sweet ceviche and undrinkable mojito-esque coconut cocktail weren't quite awful enough. Instead, Mattin was ousted for serving some raw fish. We still can't believe that Robin survived. Love said her salad tasted like chlorine. CHLORINE! Our only explanation for the vote is that Mattin was the only Bottom-dweller who failed to show any remorse for serving an awful dish, which means Robin is still on the show because at least she knows she can't cook. Sad. Au revoir, Mattin. We wish you and your ascot all the best.