'The Amazing Race' - Phil Keoghan Interview

I found this article online - National Ledger - Keoghan Glad 'The Amazing Race' Counters Negative World View - and thought he brings up some interesting points. Please be aware that if you read the entire interview, it contains a few destination spoilers for the upcoming season.

He mentions that folks tend to be frightened by the world at large, often thinking the United States is "safest" and other countries... well, aren't as safe. I beg to differ with a bit of his perception -- he mentions that being at JFK (Airport) not long after 9/11 was somewhere he felt scared. I'm local to the NYC area and, though that was life-changing for me on a personal level, I really don't walk around feeling unsafe. He goes on to say that often other countries aren't often seen in a good light and that's something 'The Amazing Race' has been able to show. I know from following the show and news items that other countries love it when TAR goes through. They get good publicity, money from the show itself for set up, etc., and hopefully tourist dollars down the line.

As for me, I've always loved to see other places, cultures I don't know much about and learn a bit. I'm not the easily scared type, except perhaps by strange icky foods. But I think Phil is spot on. We're in this world together and the more we can understand other cultures, the better for us all.

An excerpt:
"This is where our show has become more than just an entertainment show," he says, adding that none of the team anticipated the program would become so huge -- it's a hit in some 80 countries -- and have such an impact. "If we show a Muslim person giving money and help and showing concern for the racers that is very genuine, we're letting viewers see a reality they're not usually seeing."

I think that, besides the whirlwind excitement, one of the big draws for the show is that folks honestly love to see different places and learn smidgens about the folks in other countries. That's one reason I'm hooked. Why do you watch 'The Amazing Race'?

Blogging 'American Idol' - Hell Week (Hollywood Cuts) Continues

These blog notes are typed (or typo'd) as I watch the show and quickly put up after the show ends here on the East Coast. Please forgive any spelling errors, punctuation woes, fits of frustration, whatever! Thank you!


175 started, only 99 remain. Tonight is the group performance.

Orpheum, downtown Los Angeles. Personality clashes, someone named Marcie wants to cry. Ack. Terrell Brittenum. Sway went to bed. Terrell wants to rehearse. Fuss, fight 3 AM, Terrell goes for Sway. Marcie, Nick practice moves without Brenna. Dang, back to Terrell. I thought the Brittenum twins were supposed to be bye-bye. Why are they (or one of them) trying to run the show?

Now, Terrell is STILL upset come morning. Now Brenna is complaining that no one from her group called her to practice. There's no drama in some groups. Back to Terrell. Now he's arguing with his own brother. I really don't like their attitudes. Commercial break and then performances.

10 AM, crunch time. Judges settle in. First group -- Paris, Hannah Freeman. Paris makes it, Stephanie Scott goes on, Hannah is bye-bye. Not so so great. The 'Idolphonics' - Terrell's group up next. Anthony Hansen, Terrell, Sway (Panella?) and Elliot Yamin are up -- Better than the girls overall. Terrell is whining. Simon tells him he was terrible. Anthony is cut. Terrell goes through. Sway and Elliott go on. Now Terrell is dissing Anothony. @@

Apparently the drama will continue with Derrell after the commercial break. They can sing, but their people skills suck!

Now 3 PM? A lot not shown! Rat Pack - Kevin Covais, Josh Jordan, David Radford, William Makur are singing Take Me to the Moon. They did well -- all four made it through.

Derrell Brittenum up with others -- now he fusses when he got through. "My spirit has been broken." He's saying it wasn't the place for him and his brother. He quits the show and tells the judges he's taking his brother with him and they will finish cutting their record. He thought he was being cut? Terrell tells him to apologize. These guys are unreal. @@ <--- rolling my eyes at anyone in the world named Brittenum, guilty by association.

Brooke Barretsmith, Sarah Enquen and Mandisa are up, do well. Singing Band of Gold. All three go on to the next round.

4 PM -- lyrics written on arms. Mess ups... flubs and follies. They're not giving names, just misheard lyrics.

Now Tyra who quit one group wants to go back to the original one. The Try Hards - Lauren, Meredith Bandas, Leah Barretsmith and another... horrible. All sent packing.

Now a Barretsmith sister fuss cry.

Derrell and Terrell. Simon asks the crowd whether to keep him in. I'm fed up of your hissy attitude. I think this lot here is sick to death of you. I'll decide in thirty minutes." TELL THEM NO, do it for America, Simon. Please!

Celeste Scalone, Shontai K Sky, Tyra Schwartz , Nicole Turk UP. All make it.

Marcy Smith, Brenna Gethers, Brenna overdoing it. Nick Whitten. Cute ending. They're talking about the personality clashes. Nick goes on to next round. Both girls go to the next round, too. Then Brenna.

Cowboy group - Brokenote Mountain parody. Garet Layne Johnson, Matthew Buckstein, Michael Evans.. cute little film, all seem very nice. After the commercial we'll see the performance.

Brittenums. Ack. One twin apologizes. Both will stay. Grr.

Cowboys up. Not great, but funny. Garet keeps forgetting his lines. Simon says it was ridiculous. All three go home, not moved on. Aww. I know they didn't have the talent in the performance to go on, but they seem like a good bunch of guys. Garet will keep trying.

Day 4, 6:30 AM.
Singing alone accapella.
The judges meet alone to decide who stays and who goes. "Yes, no, maybe and weird."
Going to go tell them -- four rooms. No Brittenums! That room goes home. Simon tells them.
Room 2 - made it through - I see Sway and Mandisa.
Simon has to leave. Next two rooms.
A Brittenum Derrelland our gray haired dude - Taylor - they move on. Not sure which Brittenum.
Room 4 makes it. Both Brittenums. Argh.
44 make it through.
Eek. Brittenums hugging and crying. Tomorrow more drastic cuts.
I'll be here blogging it for you.
Jackie OUT.

Today's TV Newsy Bits - Feb. 13, 2006

Lots o' bits! Tons o' bits! Bits for you, right here! I'm talking television/entertainment related newsy bits links. What kind of bits did you think? Harumph!

• TMZ.com: News - Simon Upset with 'A.I.' Producers
• TMZ.com: News - Chris Penn Died Accidentally From Enlarged Heart, Medicine Mix
• 24's CLOCK RACES ON WITH THE RETURN OF ELISHA CUTHBERT AND WILLIAM DEVANE AND THE ADDITION OF RAY WISE AND C. THOMAS HOWELL
• Matt & Suzy From The Biggest Loser to Appear on NBC "Passions" Show
• ABC Announces Return of Commander in Chief April 18th
• Grey's Tops Housewives For First Time - 2/13/2006 1:17:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable - CA6307225
• Variety.com - 'Power' play in serial bowl - New Dick Wolf Series
• Kutcher, Katalyst Producing AOL Series - 2/13/2006 12:08:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable - CA6307154
• CANOE -- JAM! Television: CBC axes 'Davinci's,' 'Wonderland'

'The Apprentice' Cast Announced - Going International?

I think what I'm most pleased about is the change to Monday nights at 9 PM. The Thursday night slot meant that it got taped in other seasons. At this time, there's nothing on at 9 PM on Mondays which thrills me, so I'm sure to be watching (and blogging) the show. The premiere is February 27th. We can expect Don Trump, Jr., and his sister Ivanka in the boardroom this season. That will be different, I guess. It doesn't sound like they'll be there for every episoded.

This site - NBC Announces 18 New Candidates for Season 5 of The Apprentice - seems to have the most information on the new cast that I could find.

In other 'Apprentice' news, you might want to check these out:
Baver up for 'Apprentice' spot
Zap2it - TV news - 'Apprentice' Goes Global for Season Five
Zap2it - TV news - 'Apprentice' Reserves Spot for Olympian

"Survivor: Panama - Exile Island' Schtuff

Well, they won't spoil them for me, but you've been warned -- if you want 'Survivor: Panama - Exile Island' spoilers/photos/videos for the show which airs February 16th, check out TDT.com Survivor 12: Panama - Exile Island Spoilers

The Survivor Fever site has the transcript of Tampa Bay 10's Melinda Boot interview here. Their spoilers can be found at Survivor Fever - Survivor: Panama - Spoilers

The Survivor Sucks site has their transcripts of the Survivor Insider videos from the CBS website up at Survivor Panama Insider: Episode 02 - www.ezboard.com -- these are a blessing when you can't get the videos to play right. Um... yeah, I'm talking about me. I can never get them to play right. They also have web clues up for the next episode here --> Episode 3 Web Clues - www.ezboard.com

This Thursday night's show is titled "Crazy Nights, Snake Dinners."

Wanda's Take on the latest can be found at Reality Shack - Articles. Oh, you remember Wanda Shirk. I'm sure you do. Wanda of 'Survivor: The Musical' fame!