How Gay Am I?

Well, let’s just say that I spent Saturday evening watching the Miss America Pageant and the free skate portion of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championships. At one point, my (gay) friend suggested that we watch something else. I almost kicked him out of my apartment.



I’ve never been a huge fan of the Miss America franchise. It always seemed out of touch with the times. Well, things seem to be changing. The pageant was picked up by TLC and there’s even a Miss America reality show. That’s a very smart marketing scheme. The pageant was quite unusual. Some of the women even did push-ups on stage—very weird but kind of entertaining. Anyway, Kirsten Haglund (pictured above), the delegate from Michigan, won the Miss America crown. Good for her.

Now, let’s talk about figure skating. As some of you may know, I love everything about it. And my favorite American figure skater is the one and only Sasha Cohen; I’m sure you already knew that. So, last night, the defending U.S. National champion, Kimmie Meissner, was unable to outperform her younger rivals. In fact, she finished a disappointing 7th. Ashley Wagner, though lacking speed and grace, hit most of her jumps. Rachel Flatt delivered a great performance and finished 2nd. But the night belonged to Mirai Nagasu. This talented young lady beat 20 skaters for the National title—an impressive feat.



The future of U.S. women’s figure skating seems bright. And part of that optimism is due to a young girl named Caroline Zhang. She didn’t win the National title, but she is one to watch. She reminds me of Sasha Cohen. Beautiful!

Mario Lopez + Mark Consuelos = Muy Caliente

Ok, why didn't anyone tell me that Mario Lopez and Mark Consuelos made a movie together? I love them both. Below is a clip of the made-for-tv movie Husband for Hire, which aired on Oxygen a few days ago. I know what you're thinking; Marius, why in the world would you waste your time watching this crap? Oh, dear friends, when it comes to Mario and Mark, I'd endure anything--even a bad lifetime movie.




Ah, I love Mario Lopez so much, but this little clip left me wondering. Why is the choreography so bad? Why didn't Mario take off his shirt (and pants)? Why did they cast Mario Lopez, a Mexican American, to play a Puerto Rican? Is there a shortage of Puerto Rican actors? Anyway, I haven't seen this movie. But if I happen to stumble across it while channel surfing, I'm so going to watch it.

Gorgeous

Ok, I'm falling in love with Charlize Theron. She looks amazing in this Dior J'Adore commercial. She's just . . . so . . . gorgeous.

Finally!

I can't tell you how glad I am that Tiffani won the Top Chef Holiday Special challenge. Finally, a woman wins something on Top Chef. As you know, dear friends, I have been quite vocal about the lack of female talent on Bravo reality television. Tiffani's victory has temporarily placated my uneasiness with Bravo and society at large. I'll save my bitching for another post. Now, let's celebrate Tiffani. She rocked!

I Heart Kit And Steven

Episode three of Project Runway 4 was . . . um, interesting. Honestly, the designers weren’t given enough time to complete the challenge. And, as a result, most of the outfits were not great; many of them were horrible. Still, a few designers managed to express their point of view effectively, and some even demonstrated a level of versatility that’s quite impressive.

Now, I’d like to tell you about my growing love for Steven. Seriously, this wonderful man keeps getting better and better. He’s coming out of his shell, my friends. And that’s a very good thing. I love his dry sense of humor.



Of all the designs, I liked Steven’s the most. It wasn’t perfect, but it was well executed, and, with a little tweaking, it’s the type of design that I could see myself wearing. Yes, it's true. So . . . great job, Steven. Keep up the good work.



Now, let’s talk about Mexicans for a second. First up: Ricky! This man is getting on my last nerve. I said it before and I’ll say it again. His limbic (emotional) system is out of control. Seeing someone cry usually elicits a sympathetic response. Unfortunately for Ricky, seeing him cry actually makes me want to hurt him. He’s irritating other bloggers as well. Not good. Ah, but then there’s Elisa.



I assume she’s at least part Mexican because she’s from El Paso and her last name is Jimenez. But I may be wrong. Anyway, Elisa is a special kind of crazy. She’s just a fascinating character. Her bizarre behavior is a gift for bravo bloggers. Seriously, imagine this season without her. Interestingly, some have compared her to Lupe, a former PR designer from season 2. But I think these women are very different. Lupe’s craziness was highly unstable and very scary. Schizotaxia anyone? Elisa, on the other hand, is a free spirit who’s quite likable. Her craziness is cute, warm, and fuzzy. I’m digging Elisa. You know, it almost seems like she was raised by hippies or gypsies or crazy people. And now, she’s forced to interact with uptight fashion people who just don’t get her. Thank goodness she has a sense of humor.

Sweet P was a nervous wreck in this episode. Her design was very sloppy, but it was actually a little better than some of the other designs. I just can’t understand why she couldn’t pull herself together. She could have saved her outfit. She was headed in the right direction. Time, of course, was the main issue, but she just gave up when the going got tough. That’s not a good sign.



In the end, Carmen was sent home for not completing her outfit. Some suggested that Ricky should have been eliminated, but I guess that’s debatable. I think his design was so conventional (and ugly). It was just . . . horrible. He really lucked out.

Ok, now let’s talk about the wonderful Kit. I loved her very first design. It spoke volumes to me. The woman has a point of view. In this episode, she delivered another solid design. Many people liked it.



I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, but it was well executed. And, more importantly, she continues to show us that she does indeed have a point of view. I also think that she’s one of the most versatile designers. As other have suggested, she has what it takes to succeed. She’s my favorite designer thus far.



Ah, Kit, you and Steven have a special place in my heart. Please don’t screw up next week or I’ll be forced to replace you. You’ve been warned. Anyway, if you can’t enough of Project Runway, you should visit the always wonderful folks over at Blogging Project Runway and Pink Navy. Also stop by the Dishin’ Dat Blog. Ms. Place is witty, fun, and fabulous. Along the way, you have to visit Eric3K. His recaps are comedic gems. And don’t forget to visit Killer Virgo. His recaps are wonderful.

Victorya And Eric Shine; Christian . . . Not So Much

So, the guest judge in episode 2 of PR 4 turned out to be Sarah Jessica Parker.



I’m sorry, but I’m kind of over SJP. That doesn’t mean I don’t like her. I just can’t understand why the designers had such a strong emotional response when they saw the Sex and The City star. I’ve never had that kind of reaction to anyone. Actually, I’d probably respond that way if I saw Sarah Polley or Tom Ford. My heart rate would probably reach dangerously high levels. So . . . I guess I can imagine what it would be like to meet one's favorite celebrity. Oh, and how sweet was SJP on the show? With her status in Hollywood, she could be forgiven for being self-centered and bitchy, but she was the exact opposite—so gracious. And she’s a smart cookie, too.



Christian’s confidence is both fascinating and annoying. Is it the product of environment, genetics, or both? I have no idea, but this little diva needs a serious reality check. When he essentially ignored Tim Gunn’s criticism of his outfit (pictured below), I almost lost it. Christian responded by saying that it was perfect. What?



Tim is the voice of reason and experience on the show. Christian is a 21-year-old kid with the least experience and a serious attitude problem. Nina Garcia brought up a great point about the dress. She hated it and said it reminded her of 80s disco fashion. This design and his dress for the first challenge looked really dated and uninspired to me, which is odd when you consider his age. Of all the designers, one would think he’d be the most fashion forward. Nope! I’m not sure what his problem is. Is he stuck in the past? Does he lack vision? Or both? He needs to get with the program.

Ok, I’m getting concerned that I agreed with the judges’ decision this week (and last week, too). They loved Victorya’s dress (pictured below). It’s too early to tell, but I’m starting to think that Victorya doesn’t mind using her neocortex, that stuff that sits on our primitive (reptilian) brainstem.



I presume that being a designer is something of a balancing act. Of course, a designer wants to remain true to his or her vision but also has to know what pleases those powerful fashion types (older, well established designers, editors, and so on). Jeffrey Sebelia did that so well last season, and Victorya and Kevin made it work this time around. Some bloggers seem to think that their dress looked kind of dated. Well, I think it was quite effective. Again, I’m happy that they won this challenge.

There’s another brain system between the primitive brainstem and the neocortex. It’s called the limbic (emotional) system. And I think it’s safe to say that Ricky and Elisa are more than in touch with this particular system. Ricky cries in response to all types of things—good or bad. It’s starting to get annoying. However, he seems like a nice guy. So I’ll give him a break, for now. And Elisa is turning out to be quite a character. I have more to say about her later.



Ah, Marion, where did it all go wrong? His outfit (pictured above) was a disaster. It was poorly executed and he got what he deserved. I must say, it must be hard to keep a show like PR going after 3 seasons. The novelty effect has worn off, but the producers have managed to keep this thing alive. This episode didn’t blow me away, but it was entertaining. You have some craziness, a little drama, divas, and I’m sure there’s more to come. And by “more to come,” I mean Jillian. She has serious diva/bitch potential. I’m over Christian. That kid’s all bark and no bite.

Bravo, Project Runway, & Crazy Women

I had an interesting conversation with a friend this morning. What did we discuss? Global warming? Trouble in the Middle East? The current mortgage crisis? The answer to all these questions is . . . no. We were talking about Project Runway. My friend was, to borrow a phrase from Michael Kors, quite underwhelmed with the first episode of PR. He was so disappointed that he suggested not watching the show on a regular basis. His words elicited a reflexive response from me—I was ready to slap the crap out of him. But I didn’t. I don’t resort to physical aggression to solve problems or resolve disputes. I’m all about peace and love and all that good stuff. Anyway, my friend is not alone. A number of people in the blogosphere found this episode a tad boring.

I understand what they’re saying, but, honestly, I think some people had unreasonable expectations. Consider the following. I dare you to approach your friendly neighborhood drug addict. Ask him or her to describe the first time they tried their favorite drug of abuse (psychostimulants are quite popular with the kids). In many cases, they’ll describe feeling immense pleasure. However, after repeated drug use, it takes even higher doses of the drug to experience the same effects, and, in many cases, the person eventually stops experiencing pleasure all together. Ok, I’m not sure that’s a good analogy. Honestly, I just wanted to use the phrase “friendly neighborhood drug addict” in this post. My point is: we’re talking about the fourth season of Project Runway, for crying out loud. Did you expect to be blown away? We’ve seen a lot of it before. The divas, the drama queens, the assholes, the nut jobs, and the list goes on. And, as the years go by, some of the designs are starting to look awfully familiar. Aren't they? Again, the novelty effect has worn off. I thought the first episode of PR4 was entertaining and predictable. But that’s ok.

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. Ok, let’s get back to the task at hand—obsessing about Bravo reality television. Anyway, I’ve already complained about the lack of female talent on other Bravo shows; so now I’d like to say something positive about Bravo. I’ve noticed a few interesting trends in Bravo land. For starters, they sometimes select contestants who don’t conform to certain stereotypes. Exhibit A: lesbian hairdressers! Seriously, before Shear Genius, I had never thought of combing the words lesbian and hairdresser in the same sentence. Bravo managed to find two lesbians for Shear Genius 1 (my beloved Tabs and Daisy). Also, what’s with over-achieving Vietnamese Americans? Cloe (Project Runway) and Hung (Top Chef), both Vietnamese Americans, won the top prize in their respective shows. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for them. I really am. But the chances of two Vietnamese Americans succeeding on Bravo aren’t that high. Why not Chinese Americans, Mexican Americans, or White women? It’s just interesting. That’s all I’m saying.




Well, Bravo has done it again. They’ve managed to find another stereotype to mess with. Instead of the tired stereotypical Hispanic woman, Bravo now offers us the crazy, rebellious Hispanic woman. At first I thought Lupe was an isolated case of craziness. Of course, a handful of unstable Latinas exist in this country, but Bravo found another one. Yep, I’m talking about Elisa Jimenez. Ok, she’s not exactly like Lupe. Elisa appears capable of formulating coherent sentences; I can’t say the same for Lupe. I like Elisa. She’s the crazy, artistic type. I can dig that. However, if she’s going to play that part for the next few weeks, she’ll need to produce some great designs.



Wow, this post is getting kind of long. I know; you’ve got other things to do. So . . . I’ll stop beating around the bush. This episode wasn’t horrible. It was predictable but still entertaining. As stated in the previous post, I love Rami. Did he deserve to win? Well, that’s debatable. I think he has great taste, but his design was kind of safe and not very original. Two dresses caught my eye. The one below was designed by Chris.



I agree with Ms. Place; his dress was fierce. The man certainly has talent. Also, I noticed that a handful of gay bloggers are going crazy over Chris. Why? He seems like a nice guy, but it’s too early to tell if he’s a character to love. I’ll give him a chance. Who knows; he may win me over. Christian is turning out to be a little bitch, which isn't always a bad thing. Although I didn't like his design, I admit that he is creative and confident, but I suspect he may have trouble competing against more experienced designers. He’s a kid compared to many of the other designers.




I also liked Kit’s dress (pictured above). She may be one to watch. Of course, it really is too early to pick favorites. Now, I’m off to Pink Navy. See you there!

Oh, Happy Day

Dear friends, I'm alive and well. Sort of. Things have been crazy at work, but I won't bore with the details today. I'll save that for another post. Anyway, like any self-respecting gay man, I'm watching Project Runway as I type this. I must say, the men this season are quite attractive.



Rami Kashou had me at hello. This Palestinian hunk has worked with the likes of Jessica Alba. And he won the first elimination challenge. Great job, Rami. I love you!



Jack Mackenroth is hot. Did you see his abs? However, my heart belongs to Rami. But there's no denying Jack is gorgeous. So, season 4 is off to a good start. We have some crazy characters, a few divas, and Tim Gunn! Oh, happy day!

A Trip Down Memory Lane With The Gals of Project Runway

Ah, Project Runway 4 is just around the corner, and Bravo bloggers all across the blogosphere are more excited than Anderson Cooper at a Scissor Sisters concert (sorry, I just had to use that line again). Anyway, now we’re stuck waiting—waiting for the queen of all Bravo shows to begin. Be patient, my dear friends. Let’s prepare for another great season of PR by taking a trip down memory lane to celebrate the great women of Project Runway.




Kara Saun will always have a special place in the heart of the truly devoted Bravo viewer. She may have lost to Jay McCarroll in season 1, but she earned the respect of many people in the fashion industry. Her talent and professionalism are, of course, undeniable. But Kara contributed greatly to Bravo reality television in so many ways. She set the stage for future generations of women and minorities in project runway. She’s a great role model.



Chloe Dao’s victory in PR 2 is a clear indication that the American dream is alive and well. Her family came to America from Vietnam with almost nothing. They started a new life in Houston, Texas and never looked back. Their success in this country is quite inspirational. I respect Chloe tremendously because of her amazing work ethic. She stands alone as the only female champion in Bravo reality television. How do you like them apples?



Laura Bennett is by far a Bravo blogger’s dream. She’s fabulous, friendly, and accessible. And she’s everywhere. She’s a regular over at Tom and Lorenzo’s blog, and she even appeared in an episode of Tim Gunn’s unfortunate reality show, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style. This woman really knows how to market herself. While Jay spends his days bitching about his sad, sad life, Laura is busy raising her children but still finds time to do various things. I have to say, Laura is quite possibly the most efficient designer in the history of Project Runway. Even Tim Gunn was impressed with her progress during the weeks leading up to the finale. I can’t imagine what it would be like to prepare 12 pieces for fashion week with an expanded uterus pressing against one’s internal organs (particularly the bladder). Talk about pressure! Laura Bennett deserves a special award for performing so well under very stressful conditions.



Uli Herzner won me over the minute she smiled at the camera. Like Chloe before her, Uli came to America with a strong desire to succeed in the fashion industry. Well, her hard work paid off. Although she was unable to beat Jeffrey Sebelia in PR 3, she still created a great collection that deserves to be praised. However, the thing I love most about Uli is her humility and respect for others. She's living proof that good things happen to good people. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s as cute as a button. Rock on, Uli! Rock on!

Let’s Talk About Hung, Women in Bravo Land, And Project Runway (Top Chef 3; Finale)

Well, it finally ended. For some, Top Chef 3 turned out to be a real bore; while others fell in love with this season’s well-behaved cast. I suspect Casey will win the fan favorite award. The lovely Texan has gained quite a following throughout the blogosphere. Now, let’s discuss the finale.



First, let me just say that I was very pleased with the finale. Bravo got it right. Rocco DiSpirito, Michelle Bernstein, and Todd English were recruited to serve as sous chefs, adding some excitement to the mix. Casey, Dale, and Hung were noticeably shocked and excited about the opportunity of working with these culinary experts. I don’t care what anyone says, I think Rocco is a cuttie.

The cheftestants were asked to create a three-course meal. The day before the actual serving, the cheftestants and their amazing sous chefs spent hours preparing for the big day. Ah, but things got interesting when Tom delivered some very bad news a few hours before show time—the chefs were asked to prepare a fourth dish. Hung didn’t seem affected by the news; he was there to win no matter what.



As the judges feasted and scrutinized each and every dish, I experienced déjà vu. Images of the Shear Genius finalists, Daisy, Ben, and Anthony, were dancing around in my mind. Like Daisy, Casey seemed unstoppable during the last few weeks of the show, but her luck ran out in the finale. What happened? Maybe soul is a finite commodity that one should use judiciously. Did Casey use it all up during the last few episodes, leading up to the finale? I have no idea. I think she just lost control of Howie and the situation. And she didn’t seem to work well under pressure. Dale once used the word miraculous to describe his team’s success during the second part of the Restaurant Wars challenge. And that word can be used to describe his impressive success on the show. He, like Ben before him, owed everything to lady luck. I acknowledge that Dale made some very impressive dishes, but his lack of consistency was, to borrow a phrase from Anthony Bourdain, his major malfunction.



When Padma called out Hung’s name, I was more than pleased. Yes, I thought to myself, Top Chef is all about the food. From the beginning, it was clear that Hung was Top Chef material. His victory just seemed fair. Of course, some Dale supporters weren’t too happy with the results, and they’d probably disagree with me. But, in all honesty, one of his dishes was a total disaster. I commend him for not holding anything back. On a positive note, he rediscovered his inner chef.



This season of Top Chef was far from perfect. With the exception of Howie and Dale, most of the cheftestants were not very entertaining. And, as we all know, that’s what drives most reality television programs. There are other issue that I won't go into here. Interestingly, Hung tried his very best to be perceived as the show’s asshole, but he failed miserably. Seriously, he was quite harmless, but he was fun to watch. I have to say that Gail and Ted were great on the show. Ted didn’t really contribute much during the finale, but I still love him. And I love Gail, too.



Ok, I know this will probably annoy the hell out of some people, but I just can’t stop thinking about the lack of female talent on this and other Bravo reality television competition shows. However, there is hope. And I’m talking about Project Runway, the greatest of all Bravo reality shows. PR’s Chloe is the only female Bravo reality show winner to date. And even though Kara and Uli didn’t win in their respective seasons, they both did a phenomenal job. So, I may bitch about the sad state of affairs for women in Bravo land, but I can’t overlook the success of female contestants on PR. And thank goodness for that. I’m really looking forward to the new season of PR.

Congratulations, Hung

Wow, the person I was rooting for actually won. That rarely happens (see Sasha Cohen). Anyway, congratulations, Hung. Your family must be so proud. And I have to say, Dale really did save the best for last. Unfortunately, Casey didn't deliver, but, as she herself pointed out, she prepared some great dishes throughout the competition and kicked ass in the last few episodes. It's a shame she couldn't deliver when it really mattered.

It's All About "Soul" (Top Chef 3; Episode 13)

Reactions to this episode of Top Chef 3 varied greatly. Some bloggers hated it, while others were ecstatic that their beloved Dale finally won his first elimination challenge and a spot in the final. More about that a little later. I found it quite funny that guest judge Eric Ripert brought up the importance of soul in this episode. In previous episodes, the chefs, particularly Dale, mentioned that Hung’s food lacked heart. I can’t help but think that the producers loved the idea and sent an email to Eric, asking him to use the word soul at least three times in this episode; and he complied. Yep, they’ve added some drama to the mix—the winner’s food has to have soul!

Now, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite swinger, Brian. At the judges’ table, when asked why they thought they should stay, Brian offered the lamest answer, the type of answer that reality television producers hate. He said,

I haven’t cooked my food, at all . . . this is our [sic] opportunity to show you what I would cook . . . I do believe my food is pretty entertaining

Actually, if his food is as entertaining and attractive as he is, then his elimination should be considered a big mistake. However, the judges didn’t buy it. Hell, I didn’t buy it. Seriously, he prepared mostly seafood dishes throughout the competition. And that’s totally his kind of food. I remember eating a rice crispy treat while watching the last few minutes of the episode, and as I chewed and enjoyed the delicious treat, I was running various scenarios in my mind. I was thinking about what it would mean to eliminate Brian, the only straight man left in the competition. Then, Padma blurted out Brian’s name without hesitation. I almost dropped my delicious treat on the floor. Why was she in such a hurry? Anyway, I like looking at Brian, but I’m not really disappointed that he was eliminated. However, this is the first time in Bravo’s history that a straight male chef will not compete in the final. I’m still not sure what to make of this realization.

It’s hard not to like Casey, the lovely gal from Texas. She made many mistakes in the beginning, but she is now one of the favorites. It could be argued that she is the one to beat. She had the following to say at the judges’ table,

I know that I’m a hard worker . . . I don’t skip a beat, and I’m a relatively young chef . . . I have so much more to show

Casey’s words were quite sober compared to Hung’s and Dale’s responses. However, unlike Brian, she wasn’t kidding when she said that she has more to show. Casey’s miraculous transformation almost seems scripted. It’s like a Cinderella story, and Casey plays the part so well. The great thing about Casey is her down-to-earth personality. She’s impressed the judges, but she always comes across as humble and surprised at her own success. Actually, I was quite surprised at her success, and I remained very suspicious of her transformation for several weeks. Now, it’s finally sinking in that Casey is a talented chef. She’s sure to win over most of the viewers, and I’m happy for her.

Of the remaining chefs, I never really took Dale seriously. Don’t get me wrong; it’s nice having him around. He has delivered some of the funniest lines this season, but he never impressed me as a chef. Well, despite what appeared to be some major obstacles, he managed to create a dish that won him the elimination challenge. Good for him. He also delivered the best response at the judges’ table. He said,

I entered this competition to find myself . . . I have been reborn. . . Now I’m a chef again

Bravo, Dale. Bravo! He is a producer’s dream reality competition contestant. I mean, come on; how do you top an unemployed gay guy who has been reborn on the set of reality television program? This is the stuff Bravo dreams are made of. Also, I love how he throws in sexual references at the judges’ table. So, it appears that I underestimated Dale. However, let’s not kid ourselves. Dale’s surprising win is due in large part to lady luck. He’s made some horrible mistakes in previous episodes, but he’s always been safe because others have sucked even more. I’m happy for Dale, but there’s no denying that he’s one lucky gay man.

Hung started off strong and has remained in the top for quite some time. Yes, he’s made some mistakes, but his talent has never been in question. He is by far my favorite chef. He had the following to say at the judges’ table,

I grew up in the kitchen . . . It’s all about soul and that’s what I talk about all day . . . I don’t see myself doing anything else in the whole world . . . it’s for the love of food

That’s interesting. I thought it was all about finesse and elegance. I guess he changed his tune after learning that the word of the day was soul. Anyway, Hung gave the producers exactly what they wanted: an easily exploitable personal story. He is an immigrant who has probably faced challenges that the other chefs could never imagine. And, now, he’s a finalist on Top Chef.

I think Dale is the weakest chef of the three remaining chefs. Casey screwed up a bit in this episode, but she was on a roll for three consecutive weeks. She has what it takes to win. Hung is the master of execution, and his dishes are usually hits—they look great and often taste just as great. However, he needs to wow the judges, they’ve already complained that his food lacks one vital ingredient—soul. Maybe he can borrow that ingredient from Casey.

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. This season of Top Chef is just too unpredictable. Anything is possible. And I do mean anything. The one good thing about this group of chefs is their good behavior. Sure, Hung can get carried away at times, but he’s generally focused on the task at hand. Dale delivers funny lines, but that only adds color to an otherwise boring season. It’s interesting that last season we were stuck with two immature boys, Ilan and Marcel, in the final. Let’s not go there. Honestly, I’m happy for all three of the remaining chefs. This season may be less entertaining than previous seasons, but it really is all about the food. And that’s a very good thing.

Chris Hardwick Is Back

So, I'm excited. Yes! I found out a few days ago that Chris Hardwick will be hosting a new PBS program called Wired Science. According to their website, it premieres this Wednesday, October 3 at 8 PM. I assume most local PBS stations will air this program, and if they don't, you should call and give them a piece of your mind (and some money, of course). I can't wait.

Chris Hardwick used to host a show called Singled Out on MTV back in the 90s. At that time, MTV was just starting to morph into the strange thing it is today. Sorry, I just can't watch MTV anymore. In the 90s, MTV had a good mix of music videos, reality television, game shows, and lifestyle programs. My, MTV sure has changed. Anyway, Chris was great and he worked really well with Jenny McCarthy. Those were the days.

Well, Chris is back and better than ever. I've always been attracted to Chris. He's cute, funny, and, most importantly, intelligent. Here are a few clips of my beloved Chris promoting his new show. Enjoy!

Top Chef 3 - Preview Clip

It Sucks To Be A Lion: Bill O'Reilly & The Proper Use of Stereotypes

Ok, if you love Bill O'Reilly, this post is not for you. Now, let the bashing begin. Bill never ceases to amaze (and horrify) me. The man is clearly intelligent, but his inability (or refusal) to even consider alternative perspectives is scary. Why does that scare me? Well, if an intelligent man like Bill refuses to even listen to dissenting opinions, then there's no hope for the many men and women who worship the ground he walks on. And that, my friends, is a very scary thought.

So, here's the issue. A few days ago, Mr. O'Reilly made some interesting comments on his radio show. He talked about having dinner with Rev. Al Sharpton at a place called Sylvia's, a restaurant in Harlem that is owned and operated by African-Americans. Most of the patrons are also African-American. Bill was shocked that African-Americans weren't acting--you know--crazy! Nothing escaped Bill's sharp eye. Specifically, he said,

I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City . . . There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea . . . There wasn't any kind of craziness at all.

Ok, I was speechless when I first read this report on the Media Matters for America website. The first thing that came to mind was, is this guy for real? In all fairness to Bill, his comments were not racist. I think most would agree. However, his comments are troubling because they may represent how the average American views Black people. Seriously, if you're surprised that (average) African-Americans actually act like average Americans, then you must be living in some sort of bubble. I've met African-Americans who are educators, business owners, artists, writers, and so on. Do they not exist in New York City metropolitan area? Hm, maybe I'm the one who's crazy. It's possible that I just imagined meeting well-behaved African-Americans. Maybe my junior high school principal, Mrs. Watson, was a figment of my imagination. How about my 7th grade science teacher, Mr. Anderson? He must have been a magnificent apparition that happened to know the periodic table of elements. These wonderful individuals helped mold me into the person I am today.

The sad reality is that Mr. O'Reilly and others like him are doing what many of us do on a daily basis--rely on stereotypes for various reasons. Yes, it's a cognitive phenomenon that requires very little brain power. Now, don't get me wrong; it can be very useful. For example, if I see a lion charging at me, I probably won't ask questions. I'll just run! I know, it sucks to be a lion; everyone immediately judges you. However, in contemporary American society, we have access to so much information and we live in a country that's economically and socially stable. All we have to do is open our eyes (and minds) and stop being lazy. Yes, many of us are lazy. We can't be bothered to learn a little more about people who aren't like us. Or, we sometimes do the opposite; we focus on an outgroup's negative traits.

So, when you see a woman acting hysterical. Stop and think. Ask a question or two. Maybe she's upset for a valid reason. Or maybe she's just had enough. Many women, in case you didn't know, have to work full-time to help support their families, and they're also expected to devote a lot of time to various household tasks. That's like having two jobs! So, before you judge any woman, please keep this little nugget of information in mind. Sure, women are generally more emotional than men, but they also have to put up with a lot of crap. There are many more examples, but I won't subject you to any more of my liberal musings. So, here's the take home message: America, please stop being lazy. Stereotypes should only be used on those rare occasions when your life and physical well-being are threatened. Give Ethnic Americans and other minorities a chance, they may surprise (and educate) you. Imagine that!

The Hung and Casey Show (Top Chef 3; Episode 12)

Dear friends, for some strange reason, blogger was being a little bitch. I was unable to post anything for two days. It was horrible. Anyway, here's my TC recap.

I don’t know where to start. I could start by stating the obvious: this episode was a huge success. And thank goodness for that. Finally, the suits at Bravo got it right. Now, that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven Bravo for taking a great idea and turning into crap (yes, I’m talking about Top Design). I’m starting to think that Bravo is just throwing reality shows at us left and right, hoping that a few will be hits. Well, Ms. Place and I have had enough. Seriously, the process seems so random. Shows about hair stylists and a psychotic house flipper turn out to be wonderful. Who knew? Oh, but then Bravo took Top Design and our beloved Tim Gunn into the realm of mediocrity. Are you even trying? Yes, you have loyal viewers, but we can only take so much.



In this episode of Top Chef, the cheftestants finally got to visit New York City, but the good times would soon be over. The quickfire challenge took place at Le Cirque. The chefs had to recreate one of the restaurant’s signature plates, a halibut dish. The owner, Sirio Maccioni, and Padma declared Hung the winner, but Sirio had other things in mind (i.e., Casey). Yes, Sirio is living proof that the elderly are not asexual beings. They want some lovin’ just like the younger members of society. Anyway, Padma and Sirio acknowledged that Casey had done an exceptional job.



The elimination challenge took place at another location—the French Culinary Institute. Seriously, when they announced that, I almost fell off my chair. I was so used to ghetto top chef. You know what I’m talking about, the lame guests (e.g.., Madonna’s brother) and boring locations. This time, Bravo relied on the best resource any foodie and restaurateur cannot do without—culinary experts and educators. The professors at the FCI have passed on their precious knowledge to generations of chefs. The participation of these fine folks lifted the show to a whole new level. Please, Bravo, we want more episodes like this. In fact, if you spend less time trying to manufacture drama and more time incorporating talented culinary experts, you may be able to save this struggling show.



For the elimination challenge, the chefs had to create a dish using three key ingredients—chicken, potatoes, and onions. Casey impressed the judges with her Coq a Vin. However, Tom pointed out that she mislabeled her dish, and he wasn’t very happy about that. Brian made a dish that didn’t look very appetizing, but it was a hit with the judges. They all agreed that it was very tasty. Ok, let’s get back to Casey. I almost gave up on the lovely Texan after several disappointing performances. Then, she turned things around by winning two elimination challenges in a row. Now, I love Casey, but I can’t explain how she could go from clueless to flawless in such a short period of time. My first hypothesis is that the producers injected poor Casey with a low does of some sort of anesthetic, causing her to act disoriented at times during the first half of the season. Alternatively, the producers could have asked Casey to deliver a sub-par performance early on and save the best for last. Seriously, her unbelievable comeback is too good to be true. I smell a rat.



Anyway, there’s no question that Hung stole the show. In fact, this felt a lot like one of the earliest elimination challenges, where Hung impressed Anthony Bourdain. I’m rooting for Hung; there’s no question he’s the chef to beat. However, I must point out that Hung’s confidence level is reaching dangerous levels. He’s like a hyper little rooster that fails to consider its own mortality. Yes, a rooster may be king of the hen house, but it can easily be slaughtered by a farmer who’s trying to make the perfect Coq a Vin.



Now, let’s talk about Dale and Sara. Both showed an inability to work well under pressure. Dale made it to the next round only because Sara was the bigger failure. It’s a shame Sara didn’t make it to the final. Her performance during the Second Helpings episode was unforgettable. I’m sure she’s moved on to bigger and better things.

Congratulations, Salma

Ah, Salma Hayek. You and I have had an interesting relationship. There were times when I thought you were a brainless little tease. Women would kill to have your looks and curvaceous body. But then you did something quite unexpected. You produced and starred in the surprisingly good film Frida. It was a labor of love for you and everyone involved, and it showed. Now, you're a successful TV producer. You managed to create a hit comedy, Ugly Betty, against all odds. I mean, who knew Americans would respond so positively to a story you borrowed from a popular Latin American novela.

A few days ago, you gave birth to a lovely girl, Valentina Paloma Pinault. Congratulations! I really love your daughter's first name, and I also love the name Paloma. However, I don't think they go well together, but that's just me. Anyway, I wish you and your significant other, François-Henri Pinault, the very best. It was rumored that he had something to do with Tom Ford's decision to leave Gucci. Someone actually reported that Mr. Pinault refused to renew my beloved Tom's contract. But don't worry, Salma; let's forget about that and move on. Actually, we can discuss that later. Anyway, I've posted a little clip of you in a commercial for Campari. You are gorgeous!

Let's Talk About Alonzo Bodden

I love great comedians and can appreciate a well-executed comedic performance. However, like most people, there's a special place in my heart reserved for a few comedians. At present, my favorite comedians are Dave Attell, Bill Maher, Kathy Griffin, and Dave Chapelle. I'm so tempted to declare Bill Maher the funniest man on the planet, but my heart belongs to Dave Attell. His humor may not be for everyone, but the man writes amazing material, delivers great performances, and knows how to interact with his audience. He has it all.

There's room in my heart for new comedians. In fact, I'm actively trying to find a new group that represents my generation. We do have a voice in comedy, but I'm still searching. While looking for the next big thing, I occasionally come across various outstanding comedians. And this post is dedicated to one such individual. His name is Alonzo Bodden, winner of the 3rd season of Last Comic Standing. To be honest, I'm not a die-hard Alonzo fan. However, there's no question he has some great qualities. For starters, he commands respect for various reasons. He always looks good, but, more importantly, he's an intelligent and well-spoken man. If you're more into physical comedy, then Alonzo isn't the comedian for you. But, in a world of cliches and trite routines, his material is often sharp, creative, and hilarious. I have high hopes for Alonzo. I hope he continues to grow as a comedian.

Bravo And Their Sick Little Games (Top Chef 3; Episode 11)

So, they finally got rid of CJ. To be honest, I’m a little surprised he made it this far. I mean, let’s face it; he isn’t Top Chef material. However, he’s probably one of the nicest guys in the history of Bravo reality television. Yes, fans and bloggers all over the blogosphere are expressing their love for CJ. He will be missed.



I could make a comment about a certain part of his male reproductive apparatus, or lack thereof; but I won’t. I could devote an entire post to his distracting double chin, but I refuse to do that. I could chastise him for being a bitch to Brian at the judges’ table during the Restaurant Wars episode, but I shall hold my breath. No, I want to celebrate CJ, a man from California who literally towered over the competition. In a world of pompous foodies and culinary types, CJ maintained his All-American charm. And that, my friends, is why many viewers quite fancy the Jolly Green Giant.



This episode revealed another side of CJ, an X-rated side. Ok, ok, I’m totally exaggerating. Anyway, in this episode, we learned that CJ has a thing for ethnic beauties. When Padma nudged the sleeping giant, she was careful not to get too close. There’s no telling what a man of such size is capable of doing in a heightened state of sexual arousal. She probably feared for her life. CJ didn’t cool down after that sexually charged encounter. A few minutes later, when the chefs were given their tickets to some mysterious destination, CJ immediately thought of Japan. He must have been fantasizing about geishas and other lovely Japanese women. But, instead, the chefs were sent to Newark Liberty International Airport. Poor CJ; he must have been so disappointed.



Hung started off the show strong. He won the quickfire challenge by preparing steak, eggs, and a shake. He also made a very wise decision by going with Chilean sea bass for the elimination challenge. He didn’t win, but he certainly impressed the judges. I have to say, Hung is officially my favorite cheftestant. Of all the chefs, he’s the most versatile. He’s very knowledgeable and can prepare dishes that are safe beats, but he’s also not afraid to take risks. He is the man to beat.



However, the win went to Casey, the Texan who has more lives than a cat. I’m not going to lie, I like Casey. But there’s no denying she’s a real mess. There's no telling what she'll do this week. Seriously, if she gets eliminated, I won't be surprised. I can’t believe she’s managed to win two elimination challenges in a row. How did she do it? It appears that the women are saving the best for last, and that’s certainly something to celebrate. Sara didn’t do so well this time, but her performance a few weeks ago was phenomenal. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, she kicked some major ass.



This raises an interesting question. Why has it taken this long for us to discover that . . . surprise, surprise . . . the women can actually cook? I remember reading Andrea Strong’s blog. She mentioned that every chef is followed by a camera man. Everything they say and do is recorded. Bravo has hours and hours of footage, but most of it will probably never see the light of day. And this very fact annoys the hell out of me. The producers and editors try very hard to create a story line. Each show has to have a villain, an underdog, and various other characters. There’s a lot of information that is kept from the viewer. There are other bloggers who can see right through Bravo’s sick little games, but I’m the sucker who seems to fall for it every time. When will I ever learn?

The Media Giveth, The Media Taketh Away

Ok, I don't even know where to begin. This whole Britney debacle has been buzzing around the blogosphere for the past few days. It's old news, but there have been some new developments that we should consider. Even the popular Bravo bloggers Tom and Lorenzo blogged about Britney's unfortunate performance. Are the boys right? Is Britney's VMA performance going to destroy her career in the music industry? Who knows. This is the same industry that profited from the William Hung phenomenon and managed to get people to buy Paris Hilton CDs. I don't question it. It just is. So, Britney probably won't enjoy the level of success she achieved as a teenage pop diva years ago, but she'll probably be around for a while.

To be honest, I never understood the whole Britney phenomenon. Back in the day, she was worshipped by millions of fans around the world. Sure, she was hot, but she lacked the one thing that defines a real musical artist--talent! Yep, I couldn't understand her success. How could a girl with little talent dominate the music industry and popular culture the way Britney did years ago. Well, I think her success was due at least in part to the attention she received from the media. They were obsessed with her, discussing almost every aspect of her life on and off the stage. The media created Britney Speras. Well, now the tables have turned. The media types that declared Britney the queen of pop music years ago have now turned against her. And they delight in showing clips and images of Britney behaving badly.

Of course, you can't blame the media for Britney's unfortunate mistakes, but one can argue that they are at least partially responsible for creating our media obsessed culture. They, quite frankly, created Britney Spears. They also created Jennifer Lopez and the Spice Girls. In fact, I think Britney should have faded into obscurity just like many artists have done for decades. That's just the nature of the business. But, no! Viacom, MTV, and various other media outlets keep pushing Britney Spears on their young consumers. I blame the media for all of this mess.

I enjoyed some of her songs back in the day, but I am not a fan. I consider her little more than a superficial product of the entertainment industry. Ok, I will admit that I kind of feel sorry for her, but I'm not going to shed a tear for Ms. Spears. She's a very wealthy woman; she'll survive.

Fortunately, Britney has never been alone. She will always have the support of some members of the gay community. For example, Boy Shakira, an amateur drag queen, performed Hit Me Baby One More Time on America's Got Talent. It's very clear that Boy Shakira loves Brit.



And recently, the youtube phenomenon Chris Crocker defended Britney with a passion that one rarely sees expressed by sane individuals. Here's what Chris had to say about his favorite pop diva,



God, I love unstable gay men. I didn't think anyone could possibly top Boy Shakira, America's favorite amateur drag queen. Well, Chris' little outburst is certainly giving Boy Shakira a run for his money. Oh, and Chris is now getting a lot of (negative) attention for his little youtube rant. Fortunately, my beloved Seth Green has a few words for all you Chris Crocker haters.



American culture never ceases to amaze (and scare) me.

Thank Goodness For Hung and His Smurf Village (Top Chef 3; Episode 10)

For your consideration, I present to you Hung’s Quickfire dish.

That’s some crazy shit.

Yes, Michael Schwartz, that was some crazy shit! I had a really hard time understanding this episode. I had predicted that Casey would crash and burn, but then she kicked me in the ass by winning the elimination challenge. However, I refuse to apologize. I praised Sara for her phenomenal performance the previous week, but I’m still not sold when it comes to Casey. She’s just all over the place. At times, she appears to have the culinary skills of a 5-year-old child; while at other times, she manages to impress the judges (and herself) by cooking up something surprisingly good. I can’t take it anymore.




I can see why some people get annoyed by Brian. But I enjoy watching this man light up the screen. Yes, I want to have sex with Brian. Sorry, I have the terrible habit of falling for straight guys; that really needs to stop. Anyway, let’s move on. Brian won the quickfire challenge by creating a successful dish using SPAM. Interestingly, Brian mentioned Tom Colicchio’s major complaint—that Brian never steps outside of his comfort zone. It’s going to take more than seafood to win Top Chef. And I’m glad he kind of acknowledged that.



I can’t quite explain Casey’s win, but, I have to admit that it put a big smile on my face. Finally, the women ended the night victorious. With the exception of CJ, the men seemed disoriented and uninspired. In previous episodes, my beloved Gail pointed out Howie’s time management problems. The guy does not work well under pressure. Sure, he’s a good chef, but cheffing is not for the faint of heart. Stress comes with the territory, a fact that most chefs should be aware of.



To his credit, Howie has made some successful dishes, but he’s also failed miserably on a number of occasions. He also seems to lack that creative drive that many great chefs possess in abundance. It’s kind of a shame to see him go because he gave us bloggers a lot of material to work with. For example, Howie had the following to say about fashion,

Do I look like I care about fashion? This is from Target. This is all I have.

Hung offered the following,

I love fashion! I like to wear, like, clothes that fit me, not clothes that look like a box.

Hm, I think I know what’s he’s trying to say. And he’s right. Some adult men in this country are still wearing baggy jeans and shirts that should only be worn by severely obese individuals. Oh, and I found it kind of funny that no one bothered to ask Dale what he thought about fashion. I mean, he’s the (out) gay man on the show; he should have something to say about fashion. Right?

Casey, of course, won the elimination challenge, but, as I mentioned before, it’s going to take a lot more to win me over. Now, I think it’s safe to say that many bloggers had issues with this episode. For starters, the judges seemed quite unreasonable. One can only do so much with a $350 budget. There are other complaints about various aspects of the show. I’ve complained about the lack of female talent; others think this season is boring compared to other seasons; and the list goes on.

I actually think these criticisms are not limited to Top Chef; they reflect a greater problem with Bravo reality television. For example, Bravo’s newest offering, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, got less than stellar reviews. And I can see why. To be honest, I enjoyed watching Tim Gunn do his thing; yes, I consider myself a fan. But the show failed to capture my full attention. It actually looked like a makeover show that one usually finds on some other cable networks like the TV Guide Channel or A& E. And I find that very problematic. We’re talking about Bravo, the home of Queer Eye and Project Runway!

On a positive note, this episode of Top Chef offered hope. And it presented itself in the form of a slightly crazed bisexual named Hung. During the quickfire challenge, Hung worked passionately to create a dish that defied explanation. At this stage in the game, it would seem wise to stick to what’s been done before. But Hung dared to think outside the box. And the other chefs rightfully applauded his bizarre display of self-expression. He has earned my support. Yes, I hope Hung makes it to the final.

So, I agree with most that this episode was a bit disappointing, and I think Bravo needs to start injecting some creativity and innovation into its reality television programs. Seriously, they could have done so much with Top Design but failed to deliver. You know, I was so close to giving up on Bravo, but Hung’s quickfire masterpiece made me reconsider my position. Thank goodness for Hung and his defiant Smurf Village.

Flipping Out Preview Clip (Episode 6)

Youtube + Brain Fart + Beauty Queen = Comedic Gold

I’ve made it very clear that I love almost everything about pageants—the beautiful women, the nature of the competition, and the joy of finding that one delegate who can flawlessly recite a few lines from a pageant pattie handbook. Essentially, the crown is reserved for the gorgeous woman who can deliver a few lines without stuttering or sounding like a total ass. However, on rare occasions, you’ll have a woman like Chelsi Smith, a former Miss Universe from Texas, who is beyond amazing. Chelsi is best remembered as a beauty queen with brains.

Well, a few weeks ago, a young South Carolina beauty queen by the name of Lauren Caitlin Upton made headlines when she delivered an unintelligible answer to one of the final questions. Not surprisingly, she didn’t win the Miss Teen USA crown. I feel bad for her. It’s very stressful to be on stage and deliver a performance of a lifetime. She didn't deliver; the poor girl failed miserably.



Again, I am a huge supporter of beauty pageants. I’ve loved them for years. I can understand all the arguments against them—that they are sexist and disgusting to some people. However, from a very objective perspective, these pageants only serve to entertain.

My, how times have changed. Beauty queens have been delivering trite and sometimes incoherent final answers for decades; but now, thanks to the internet, people who don’t normally watch pageants have access to some of these displays of cognitive dysfunction. The following clips were all inspired by Lauren’s . . . what’s the phrase . . . brain fart? Yes, brain fart!

Flipping Out Preview Clip (Episode 5)

Reality Star Life Cycle: From Birth To The Supernova (Top Chef 3; Episode 9)

After last week’s disaster, the producers had a huge hurdle to overcome. Whether or not they succeeded is subject to debate. Now, I enjoyed this episode for various reasons. For starters, the quickfire challenge was great—a real competition. And the restaurants looked much better and the service was also quite improved compared to what we saw last week.

This episode offered two extremes. We witnessed the highs of success and those almost miraculous moments when things just come together perfectly. But we also got to see abject failure. Sara M’s performance in this episode was phenomenal. Not only did she kick Casey’s slow ass, but she also kicked my ass and made me eat my words. I will never call her lazy again. She rocked!

Interestingly, this episode kind of made me think of the life cycle of a star, those magnificent entities that live in solar systems near and far. I know, the strangest things pop into my head as I watch these reality programs. Anyway, Sara M’s success represents the birth of a star—a reality star.



She came out of nowhere, diced onions like there was no tomorrow, and proved more than effective as the executive chef of Quatre. Her star shone brighter than any other. Tre, on the other hand, represents the other end of the spectrum. He started off strong; easily one of the most promising of all the chefs.



Yes, he was once a bright star, wowing the judges with his well executed and beautiful dishes. Everyone expected him to make it to the final. However, he was unable to pull his team together. His unfortunate fall from grace was kind of like a stellar event—an explosion or supernova, one of the final stages of a star’s life cycle.



This episode offered quite a few pleasant surprises. We got to see a very loquacious Steven, showing off his sommelier skills. I actually like Steven.



There were other familiar faces—Joey, Sara N., Camille, and Lia. Oh, I just have to commend Lia for looking so amazing. Well done!




I was particularly pleased to see the lovely Camille. I can’t explain it; I don’t know much about her, but she seems like the kind of person who’d be fun to hang out with. She’s my kind of girl.



I have no idea why they invited Christopher Ciccone to participate this season. I mean, there are certainly better qualified interior designers. I guess producers assumed the gays would love to see Madonna’s pompous brother. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Bravo is seriously courting gay viewers. Yeah, they want us!



Now, I’ve made it very clear that I like Dale. I think he did an excellent job at the front of the house, and he also contributed a successful dish. However, this man has the most insane mix of gay traits. Stereotypes can be a gay man’s best friend. For example, people often assume that gay men have impeccable taste. Of course, not all gay have good taste, and some gays should never be allowed to express their inner gayness. Dale, I’m afraid, is a case in point. His unfortunate fashion sense, terrible interior design skills, and penchant for scented candles could have been his undoing in the previous episode. Fortunately, Bravo gave him and the other cheftestants another chance. Well, Dale did something that I found quite bizarre. As Ted pointed out, he was not dressed appropriately for the challenge. I can’t understand how any gay man could turn down an opportunity to dress to the nines. Brian looked more presentable. It’s a sad day when one is out-gayed by a straight man with subsyndromal Adult ADD. Hold on a minute; is Brian straight?



I’ve complained about the lack of female talent this season. Fortunately, Sara M stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. Casey is another story. She was the reason her team lost the quickfire challenge. Watching her dice onions was unnerving. How can one be a chef with such poor knife skills? I guess it’s possible, but I’m sure that kind of Chef is not Top Chef material. I’m so close to giving up on Casey. Actually, she should be eliminated soon. She really doesn’t deserve to make it to the final. I love ya, Casey, but I’m just being objective here.

CJ and Brian did almost nothing. They essentially left Tre alone. CJ’s dish failed, and Brian didn’t prepare anything. And his customer service skills were far from exceptional. I was a bit surprised that they eliminated Tre. However, his inability to lead his team to victory was a major downfall. How can you be a Top Chef and have poor leadership skills. Also, at this point of the competition, he should have known better than to send out food that was less than perfect. And it’s a shame that none of the other chefs bothered to scrutinize any of the food before it left the kitchen. They all failed their executive chef and themselves. It's sad that Tre was eliminated, but the show must go on.

Jeff Lewis Interview

I found this little gem on youtube. Enjoy!