Silk Willow Talk

So the race for ratings has prompted yet another show to drum up more interesting contestants for their competition. This time, The Amazing Race has a new class in attendance, representing the world more than it does the United States. In the past, the Amazing Race had representation from various demographics — a couple here and there — but would mostly maintain a homogenous feel to their head count. This time, it’s as diverse as they probably will ever get.

Check this out:

I added some team nicknames floating around the internet that I thought were “cute”.

Team #1: A married couple of East Indian origin, living in Florida. Eliminated (Team Karma)
Team #2: Brothers of East Asian descent, from San Francisco, CA.
Team #3: A white gay couple from New York City.
Team #4: A pair of lovely cheerleaders who are friends from South Carolina. Eliminated
Team #5: A pair of lovelier blonde beauty queens who competed in the Miss America
pageant – one is Miss California, the other is Miss New York. (Team Barbie)
Team #6: African-American best friends who are single mothers from Alabama.
Team #7: A coal miner and his wife from Kentucky. They come across as “country”.
(Team Hillbilly)
Team #8: African-American best friends who are Moslems from Ohio. Eliminated
Team #9: A very athletic pair of friends, one of whom is a prosthetist, while the other is
his erstwhile client (yes she has an artificial leg) from California.
Team #10: The token bickering dating couple, residing in Los Angeles, CA.
Team #11: Male models who are best friends and former drug addicts who live in
Los Angeles, CA. (Team Himbo)
Team #12: A man and his gay daughter from Rhode Island.

Is this a gimmick? Well even if it is, it’s working as far as I’m concerned. I find the mix more than welcome, after 10 seasons. These were overhead or seen in the last episode, while the group was in Mongolia, from which I got more than a few chuckles:

• Beauty queens are seen galloping on mountain horses to a challenge’s end. Their composure is atrociously marred by one of them falling off the horse, with her foot caught on a stirrup, and being dragged through mud and slush.
• Host Phil Keoghan talks about how a nomad was going to help the contestants with a challenge, and once they complete the challenge, this nomad would present them with their next clue. Somehow, I thought it was funny how the audience was being treated to a sight of a grinning nomad.
• This came from the utterly nice redneck pair (okay, the pair from what I am assuming is rural Kentucky) with utmost sincerity, referring to the Asian contestants from San Francisco, CA: I’ve never seen an Asian person in my life!
• From the rednecks again: I’ve never been around gays before, and I like ‘em!

But the most stunning thing I heard so far this season was when someone asked whether the African-American Moslems prayed to Buddha….

Ooooh Yeah, it’s building up to be one colorful season.
Watch The Amazing Race on CBS, Sundays @ 8 PM ET/PT.

 
 
Technorati Tags: Amazing Race, Amazing Race 10, CBS, Phil Keoghan, TV, reality tv, reality show, television

 
They’ve tried everything in the past — divide contestants by age and by sex. Survivor: Cook Islands, the 13th season for this popular reality show series, is finally going further in the way of political incorrectness. And I am enjoying every minute of it.

They are now dividing the contestants into four groups of five contestants each, with each group representing a particular race. We thus have the Caucasian (Raro), African-American (Hiki), Hispanic (Aitu) and Asian-American (Puka) tribes. Apparently there are many who are up in arms about this — just check out what MSNBC is saying. Some rags and other news outlets are calling it a “controversial” move by Mark Burnett, the show’s producer.

All I can say is… WHO GIVES A #$(*%? I certainly don’t care a whit about race and how it’ll play into the strategy of winning this particular competition. Be that as it may, I don’t read much into ethnic stereotyping, but maybe it’s because I don’t have a chip on my shoulder, as those who may be overly sensitive to Polish or such jokes happen to be.

Of course, there are always limits to how racial differences are represented — if done in a truly negative light, or in bad taste, I would certainly cry foul. But so far, I am only quite mildly amused by the goings on in the Cook Islands these days and am still waiting for somebody’s boot to drop with flying sparks and all that. I’m still waiting for the real drama to start. Though I did have one of the season’s funny moments hit me when Virgilio “Billy” Garcia from the Aitu (Hispanic) tribe claimed he had fallen in love at first sight with a sorority girl from the Raro (Caucasian) tribe. He said it with a straight face during tribal council while on the verge of being kicked off, and with absolutely no warning and definitely no confirmed reciprocity from the female in question, other than a sympathetic verbal pat in the back she gave him at one point during an immunity challenge. All I could think was…DUDE….in your dreams! Hello! Is there anyone home?

So to all the TNPTBs (Television Network Powers That Be) out there, keep on plugging along with the ethnic theme… I’m all for it! After all, that’s not what’s offensive — it’s stuff like this that is. Okay, your mileage may vary.
 
 

Technorati Tags: Survivor, Cook Islands, Puka, Aitu, Raro, Hiki, Jeff Probst, reality tv, television, CBS, CBS Survivor, Survivor Cook Islands, Survivor News, Survivor 13, Survivor 13 Cook Islands

<Thank you www.defamer.com>

The Bay Area Clay Aiken CD Release party has come and gone, and it turned out exactly as all other Clay fan parties do: attendance being 90% women with an average age of 40, and the rest being their loyal spouses or sons. And maybe a couple of stray authentic male Clay fans, which needs special mention for the sheer rarity of it.

The party, which started promptly at 9:00 PM, was held in the Virgin Records Megastore in San Francisco, California. We arrived wearing our Clackwear, basking in the energy of Claymania, wondering if this party will be just like the one for Measure of a Man’s arrival, 3 years past. For the most part, it was.
 

 
Upon entry, we were greeted with American Idol Season 2 auditions on the store overhead television sets, projecting Clay’s younger visage. We came upon the “welcome table” with a bunch of stuff on it but what caught my eye were sign up sheets for information on the BAF (Bubel Aiken Foundation), which is Clay’s foundation for children with learning disabilities, as well as for general Clay fan news and information (Let’s all Stay Connected and such!). There was also a large placard of printed devotional haikus on the side, which you needed to read so you could vote for the best one. Whoever won got some Clay related surprise — usually a prized art piece by Laurie McAdam, noted Aiken portrait artist.
 

 
I spent most of the time schmoozing with new people though I saw many familiar faces as well. I met someone named “PinoyClayFan” who is a member of the ClayDawgs, a message board for male Clay fans (YES THEY DO EXIST!). His 14 year old son was cool enough to join him. I was particularly shocked to meet an old acquaintance who had emceed my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary many moons ago. In fact, I didn’t know what was more shocking — that I remembered who she was after seeing her once, ever(!), some 15 years ago, or that she was a Clay admirer. She handed me her real estate business card — apparently, real estate is still good business in California!

The minutes flew by and I noticed rather quickly that there were no refreshments within arms length. That was one huge difference from the last CD release party which had soda and tons of Krispy Kreme doughnuts (Clay’s favorite) for the likes of us ravenous fans. Aaargh. No chairs either. So we had to sweat it out. Mostly on the floor. I distracted myself from my hunger by purchasing a goody bag with various Clay embossed badges in various sizes as well as a kick ass Thousand Different Ways pin that looked like an expensive brooch that I can now wear at weddings. Seriously, it looked glitzy enough to pass for real jewelry to me.
 

 

 
Towards the end of the evening we were presented with the requisite raffle for Clay memorabilia with the ever present, highly coveted items being the aforementioned Clay portraits in charcoal, chalk and was it crayons? It’s what everyone who shells out $1 a ticket hopes to snag. But empty-handed, we called it a night in order to relieve our babysitter of her duties at 30 minutes less the witching hour. With work the next day, we couldn’t stay up for Clay’s official album release, but it’s all good; I just got my A Thousand Different Ways today through the mail, thanks to Amazon. I can’t wait to foist a copy or two upon my unsuspecting colleagues at work as I make my usual Clayversion (aka Clay conversion) rounds.

Another event down and more to go, here in the ClayNation. Can’t wait for the Hicks Chicks festivities next on the horizon.
 
 
 
Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, ATDW, CD release parties, CD release party, CD release, A Thousand Different Ways, American Idol, Laurie McAdam, Claymania, Claymates, ClayNation, Measure of a Man, Bubel Aiken Foundation, ClayDawgs

The little wild chicken from Rock Star Supernova has won the coveted frontman position for the band. He was in the bottom 3 only once ever during the show and that was in the last couple of weeks. I’m glad for the guy. After all it was very tough competition against the likes of Dilana and Toby “EVS” Rand. He can now kiss his Canadian Hooters buddies bye bye for now as he tours the world with Supernova. What I liked about him was how odd, extreme, strange, unique, bizarre and freaky he looked and acted — and with the heavy make-up, colored nails, wild hair and all, he definitely reminded me of a psychopathic loaded chicken, which of course, was a major part of his appeal. His stage presence does strongly captivate, with a voice from the dark side enhanced by erratic moves.

Lukas, you are one cool cat and wish you all the luck with Supernova. Though will your angst withstand the merriment emanating from the likes of Tommy Lee, I wonder.

Technorati Tags: Lukas Rossi, Rock Star Supernova, Rockstar Supernova, Rossi Posse, Dilana, Toby Rand

< Credit: mattklawitter.com, msnbc, rockstargohome.com, sfondideldesktop.com >

We’re taking a break from Clay Aiken Week to celebrate Mike “Boogie’s” victory on the Big Brother 7 All Stars show. Great job Chill Town! I was all for the Doctor (Will Kirby) winning the crown, but his right hand man is good enough for me. What superb game play! I’ve never been more stupefied by blatant, outright, shameless, unapologetic manipulation as I have been by watching their strategy unfold before my eyes. I still cannot believe that Dr. Will is a dermatologist who *can* perform liposuction and botox. Or so he claims.

This Chill Town “phone call” is classic….well….Chill Town:

This is Big Brother game play…and brotherhood… at its finest: Phone Call #2, Phone Call #3, Phone Call #4!

And for all that, Mike “Boogie” is $500,000 richer!

 
 
Technorati Tags: Big Brother All Stars, Chill Town, Mike Boogie, Will Kirby, Big Brother 7

 
 
 
Clay is making waves with his Amazon pre-sale orders. He is now ranked at #9! Go ClayNation! For those curious about Clay’s track listings for his CD “A Thousand Different Ways” coming out on September 19, well here we have it. I was amazed that Clear Channel streamed the CD. This is the entire album and I can’t believe I can get my grubby little hands on it right here, right now. But that won’t stop me from buying my obligatory multiple copies, as a card carrying member of Claymaniac. The CD is mostly cover versions of classic love songs but includes 4 original songs.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, ATDW, CD release parties, CD release, A Thousand Different Ways, Measure Of A Man, American Idol

< Credit: About.com and Clear Channel Sneak Peek>