NBC 'Busted' Over Delayed Broadcast of Beijing Olympics

A Yahoo sports blogger complains about NBC's strategic airing of the Beijing Olympic games in the United States featuring swimmers Michaels Phelps and Dara Torres and the men's gymnastics team.

What can I say, they have to make profit from commercials after paying $894 million to have the rights to broadcast the events. And probably Matt Lauer raised his fees and benefits because he's in China.

We were also waiting for Phelps' heat last night. The broadcaster announced they will be airing the competition in an hour, but two hours later they were still covering the gymnastics. Not that we hate the gymnastics event; It is one sport event that we can appreciate. No, we can't ignore all those cute boys with strong muscles. Although, of course, we truly miss the juicy and spicy Hamm twins. But all eyes are on Phelps (who later shattered his Olympic record).

We cannot complain too much. It is better to have watched the event on TV than choking on China's smog.

Marketing the Jonas Brothers

It is not the nice hairs (chest hairs included via RollingStone magazine) nor the nice comely smiles...


It's those darn tight pants baby (as what I've read somewhere: cucumber-choking pants).


Here's why such "fashion" sells [reading from an article in the recent edition (The Denim Edition) of Nylon magazine]:


"A whey-faced indie-boy in crotch-crushing pants is the very image of a sexual androgyny, yet those same tight pants can be read as a declaration of hypersexuality." (So much for the altar boy image)


(No wonder those girls are screeeaaaming out so loud).

Being Mormon and Gay

Keith Bryce should be elevated by the gods - he never gave a hint that he's gay. No, not the way he acts in Project Runway. Now, most of us PR fans think he is one straight and goodie-goodie boy from Utah. You know, he does this "dude" and "buddy" thing and wears a tank top that show his buffed up shoulders and arms. But on the latest episode of Project Runway, Keith, with all of his hunkiness, announced that he is gay. And in a difficult situation, too, he said. He's a Mormon! What's wrong with that?



What's important is the designs he makes for Project Runway. Although the last dress he made was unforgivable. Good thing he wasn't eliminated.

Even Michael Verdugo of Design Star fame allegedly (although I saw the clip) has a gay bondage video. He did it allegedly before joining the interior design competition. Now, he's a famous cop by day and an interior designer on the side with ectra curricular activities on the other side.

Miss Venezuela Is Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela is Miss Universe 2008
by Fernelle C. Rodriguez

Twenty-two-year-old Dayana Mendoza was crowned this year's Miss Universe.

The 5'10" Venezuelan bested 79 other contestants from around the globe for the prestigious crown.

Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas, a heavy favorite of beauty pageant Web sites, placed first runner-up. The 20-year-old ranked high in the evening gown competition.


Miss USA Crystle Stewart, whom beauty pageant experts thought would land in the Top 5, finished in the Top 10 after falling down in the evening gown competition. Last year's Miss USA, Rachel Smith, also slipped and fell down on stage in the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico. Smith went on to compete in the final five but ended a runner-up.

Miss Mexico Elisa Najera, Miss Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz Gonzalez and Vera Krasova, Miss Russia ended runners-up.

The other contestants who made it to the Top 10 included Zana Krasniqi, Kosovo;
Laura Dundovic, Australia; Crystle Stewart, USA; Claudia Ferraris, Italy, and Claudia Moro, Spain.

Rounding the Top 15 were Lam Thuy Nguyen, Vietnam; Tansey Coetzee, South Africa; Hiroko Mima, Japan; Jazmin Dammak, Hungary, and Eliska Buckova, Czech Republic.

Miss Thailand Gavintra Photijak won Best in National Costume while Rebeca Moreno of
El Salvador was named Miss Congeniality UNIVERSE™.

The judges were famous designer Roberto Cavalli, Trump Organization's Executive Vice President Donald Trump, Jr., actress Nadine Velazquez, hair stylist Louis Licari, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, footwear designer Taryn Rose, newspaper editor Nguyen Cong Khe, hospitality industry tycoon Joseph Cinque and actress Eesha Koppikhar.


This year's Miss Universe pageant was held in Nha Trang, Vietnam and hosted by Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

The Mother Of All Bitches?

Seeing Kathy Perform on stage is always a pleasure. No way that she's a D-lister - with that humongous mansion and limousine. Kathy Griffin in an A-list act - better than any star who wastes their time with booze and drugs.


Never mind the harsh criticisms against her. She loves it instead. Kathy Griffin is one hell of a darling.

When I call you a bitch it's filled with love.

You're a bitch, but I'm the mother of them all.

Here is Kathy at her best on the recent Bravo TV's A-List Awards:

'Halo-halo' a hit in Top Chef

Dale, one of the contenders for this year's Top Chef over BravoTV, impressed me with his guts and creativity. Moreover, because he doesn't forget his culture and sense of identity. In recent edition of Top Chef, Dale impressed a judge in the quickfire challenge by offering a taste of Filipino culture.

Dale whipped up the magical "halo-halo" - a local dessert made with shaved ice, fruits, sugar and other sweets. One Filipino dietician said it is a "complete food" because of its nutrient content. Dale ended in the top three, but lost to another contestant. That is no matter. His dish wasn't his original concept anyhow. On the other hand, I am glad that Dale wasn't afraid to share a dish from where he came from.

Good luck, Dale!

Mabuhay ka!

The Empress Is Back

Now, all the gay world and not-so-gay universe are getting excited because her royal highness Empress Kathy Griffin will be gracing the airwaves again this June.

Her show, My Life On the D-List, never fails to amaze people. She's funny to the maximum level. Even David was hooked to her show.

I have to ask her for an autographed picture.

Miss Texas Rock

There were two reasons why the Miss USA pageant held Friday was exciting - Miss Texas, my bet, won and Christian Siriano was one of the judges.


I knew Miss Texas, Crystle Stewart, would win because she was poised without really trying. And that walk - they're like fashioned out from Venezuela, known for "modeling" their beauty queens.

The 26-year-old lass, who stands 5'9" bested Miss Mississippi Lea Laviano, 20, for the crown. Laviano stands 5'4".

Ramiele in 'Today Show'

Ramiele Malubay was the guest in yesterday's Today Show. The American Idol finalist was so petit that she seemed more like a gradeschooler than an adult.

She was cold that Matt Lauer let her use his coat. Lucky girl.

But she seems to be overly sweet. That maybe is (and sometimes) a negative factor.

Why Do Girls Like The Jonas Brothers?

While watching Dancing with the Stars last night this came to mind:

Pubescent girls like the Jonas brothers because of

a. their thick eyebrows

b. their thick hairs

c. their baby smooth skin

d. their tighter than tight pants


I thought so, too. But I'm not telling you what it is, I don't have high estrogen levels, though I like the term "pubescent." At any rate they don't have outstanding voices.

Can Ramiele Make It?

Now, there is no doubt that Ramiele Malubay can sing, but the question is: can she make it through the finals and/or win the American Idol title?

Ramiele should take note on the following singing competitions were Filipinos emerged on top:

Smokey Mountain




Ivy Violan




Regine Velasquez




and a whole lot more.

Those Were The Days

I had the chance some years ago, when I was still in Bacolod, to interview a newly crowned campus beauty queen. The interview only happened over the phone. We didn't get the chance to meet in person. Since that interview, she went on to participate in other beauty pageants. This year she participated in the Miss Philippines pageant. She took home the Best in Talent award. She didn't make it to the top 12.


The opening producation number was spectacular. I am amazed that they were able to come up with an upbeat music, like a Flash Gordon theme:





However, the most shocking part was the announcment of the winners. One major winner is now the "toast" on Youtube. Well, see for yourself:




The result:



Here's what former Binibining Pilipinas crown holder and Miss World second princess Ruffa Gutierrez has to say:




Case closed.

So Fierce

Oh, my God. Tonight's show is so fierce. And it is 11 p.m. I should have been in bed and sleeping as I have to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to go to school. But the finale episode of Project Runway kept me awake.


Christian Siriano won! Yey! I've been rooting for him to win although I thought the judges would give the award to an older finalist. So fierce! I can't believe it! After seeing the whole collection of the three designers - Jillian, Rami, and Christian - there was no doubt that Christian's designs made the most impact.

So fierce! Fierce! Fierce! The other Project Runway designers were there, too and they stood up when Christian walked on the runway. So fierce. The finale had Victoria Beckham as won of the judges. Christian was actually crying when Heidi Klum was about to announce the winner. So fierce!


Congratulations, Christian! You are one fierce... I don't want to say it.

Now, I am off to bed.

Project Runway Fierce Forecast

David and I have been doing our fearless forecast for the Project Runway Season Finale which will be aired Wednesday on Bravo. Now, Rami made it to the final three slot when Chris March was aufed last week. I do think it would have been more interesting if they allowed Chris to be in the finals. When the two (Rami and Chris) showed their collection last week, it though seemed that Chris has more vision than Rami. Although, of course, the judges and producers of the show have to pick Rami because he already has a clothing line and boutique. Rami has also showed his collection in the Tyra Banks show before embarking in Project Runway competition.

Chris's collection showed innovation and creativity by using hair as part of the materials. They considered four designers last year, why didn't the show consider it again this year?

Christian might not be the winner this year because he is too young. The judges, I think, will pick Jillian as this year's winner because of her creative vision. Now, Christian has worked with Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood while Jillian was an illustrator for Ralph Lauren. Rami, on the other hand, is the draping master from Jesuralem whose butt is more bubbly than mine.

David said Chris will have a nice time if he gets hired by production people doing musicals in Broadway. I can't agree more.

We saw last week the Tresemme ad in Elle magazine featuring the couture designs of Chris and Christian. It was truly amazing. If these two team up in one design house, fashion will become more interesting and fierce!

There Will Be No Atonement for Old Men

Sunday David and I went to see There Will be Blood which starred two-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot and The Last of the Mohicans) and Paul Dano of Little Miss Sunshine fame. I am glad that Dano was able to sustain his acting all throughout the film, primarily because he was paired with an actor of top caliber. Paul Thomas Anderson's directorial strategy was engaging, primarily because he focused the story on Day-Lewis and Dano. I was surprised that Dano wasn't nominated for an Academy for a supporting role when he provided justice to his role as a power-obssessed church leader. There is no dispute that Day-Lewis will bag this year's acting award for a lead role.

David and I watched No Country for Old Men and Atonement last time. We saw La Vie En Rose on DVD. He watched The Kite Runner while I watched Juno at the Little Theater.

Meanwhile, the top four finalists for Project Runway competition were officially chosen. They were Christian Siriano, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kazou and Chris March. The person who was eliminated last time was Sweet P. However, Rami and Chris will have to show three pieces from their final collection (judges will then select one of these two to be in the final competition) along with Jillian and Christian. The judges were caught in a deadlock last time as to whom they will be sending to the Olympus Fashion Week (although I saw the fashion event's ad in The New York Times first week of February. So, the winner probably was selected already. By the way, the final four were on Regis and Kelly Tuesday promoting Project Runway).

On the other hand, it is comforting that Ramiele Malubay received positive feedback from the American Idol judges, esp. Simon Cowell, when she performed last night. Although I personally wasn't too impressed with her performance (as I have been accustomed to hearing powerful oices in singing competitions back home) I am, in a way, glad that she delivered. She may end up in the finals. David Archuleta also performed well Tuesday night.

I haven't watched the new edition of Make Me a Supermodel because I was busy with other things. I hope Ronnie wasn't eliminated. No please Lord, no.

TV Guide

The search is on for the next male and female American supermodel. Tune in to BravoTV's Make Me a Supermodel competition. I thought Josiah and Igor would make it. Darn.

To watch the screening click here


I'm betting on

1. Ronnie from Chicago, Ill. who found out that his partner of three years was working as a porn star and escort on the side without his knowledge.

Watch Ronnie's interview here.

2. Casey from Atlanta, Ga. who is also a singer and songwriter.

Watch Casey's interview by clicking this (@).

(BravoTV.com kind of mess up with Casey's other video. They instead put Ben's video under Casey's file)

3. Perry from Los Angeles, Ca.

To watch Perry's interview click this (&).

In Project Runway, Elisa, 42, from NY was eliminated in the Hershey's challenge. See it here.

Wish All Kids Are Like This

Pam sent me a link for YouTube.com. It is a video of her granddaughter opening her Christmas presents. It is amazing that some kids just appreciate what was given to them. But I wish all kids are like this. Here she is:

***

About last month David and I watched a segment on MTV (was it "Super Sweet Sixteen"?). They showed the preparation for the birthday party for a girl (probably of Mexican heritage, but that doesn't matter). She such a pain in the ass that I was ready to hurl something to the TV. She wanted it to be very expensive etc. She didn't like her gown. Her mother was "too kind" to let her act like a bitch I wished I could slap the mother. They didn't show her father (probably he was too embarassed to have such child). They shot a music video where she gyrated like a God-forsaken wild hippo, although a hippo is more adorable than her. One of the gifts her parents gave her was a new car (a Lexus convertible, about $65,000-$80,000). Well, the bad thing is, the day before the big day her mother surprised her at school by bringing the car on the parkway, with this marvelous ribbon wrapped around the car. The daughter screamed and shouted obscenity at her mother. I can still remember it: "That stupid, idiotic mother of mine!" All because she wanted the car to be delivered on the day of her party so everybody can see it. Well, the mother returned the car anyway. The party went through though. I told David that kid will end up in the hospital if she did that thing to mother in our country. If I was there by the time she went on a fit I would have banged her head on the wall. But the problem in America, if you do this to your kids you'd end up in jail for child abuse. That is why I am proud of those Filipino-American parents who raise their kids the Filipino way. But there are a few American parents who raised their kids well, by instilling the value of respecting their elders.

This Made Me Think

Photo from the web

"I like men because they're men."

-Dale Levitski, above, of Chicago, IL,

Top Chef Miami runner up

I wasn't expecting Dale to end up in the final three of the Top Chef season three finale. I did expect Casey (of Dallas, TX) and Hung (of Las Vegas, NV) to be in the finals though. I wasn't all in favor of giving the prize to Hung. No matter how good he was, proving his finesse techniques, his personality is a big thumbs down. Is he a good example of a competitor? No. Should he be called a model to all immigrants? Maybe, for what he has achieved but other than that... phew. I"m glad I'm not his friend. It would have been nice if he was humble like most Asians are perceived to be, but, like Marcel, he turned out to be a narcissist. I am glad that Casey won as fan favorite. Casey, you rock!

Casey and Hung

Photos from the web

Now, I guess we have to applaud Dale for being open about his sexuality. Here he emphasized the obvious - men are men. From whichever side you inspect them, they'll still be men.

House Hunters 101

Here's what I've learned from watching House Hunters (aired over HGTV Channel 56):


Priorities in looking for a house:

1. A big backyard so the family dog can have exercise.

2. The kitchen must have a dishwasher.

3. There should be a walk-in closet.

The rest can be fixed.

An ideal American family:

Husband, wife and a dog.

Isn't that wonderful?

Scholars Day

It was fun being at school today (April 11th). It's Scholars Day! No classes, but we were given assignments to write a paper on one of the presentations.

I am glad that I was able to attend two sessions, with three presenters in the morning session and four in the afternoon session. All at Hartwell Hall. There is no use in running from one building to another. I'd die if I did.

Good thing there were no scheduled presentation at Drake Library! I'd complain if they did.

Now, at SUNY Geneseo their version is called "GREAT Day":

G - Geneseo

R - Recognizes

E - Excellent

A - Achievement and

T -Talent

I hope Brockport can come up with a cutesy title.

Now what is this SUNY Brockport's Scholars Day? The brochures given to students and the school website (www.brockport.edu) say:

SUNY College at Brockport's Scholars Day was instituted in 1984 through the efforts of the College Senate. Scholars Day has continued as a celebration of scholarly pursuits by the campus community.

Scholars Day has several purposes:

To publicize research, including methodologies and conclusions;

To share new ideas and concepts;

To expand knowledge;

To provide an opportunity to socialize with members of the campus community outside of one's own department.

This year there are over 200 presentations/poster sessions with over 400 presenters/session chairs from the campus community (several of whom will present at multiple sessions). This includes 349 presenters (comprised of 300 students and 49 faculty/staff) and an additional 55 faculty/staff chairs for sessions.

Now you know how I feel when I complain about the venues. They're far away from each other.Anyway, I had to choose from the multitude of presentations listed by our professor that we should attend. I ended up choosing the presentation from the History and Anthropology Dept. (I would have watched the Reader's Presentation on J.R.R Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," but I realized that my professor is an expert in Tolkien. There is no way I could "sway" my arguments.

The morning session I attended were (with explanations provided and lifted from from SUNY Brockport website):

History and Anthropology Dept.

"The Plight of Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia, as Contrasted with the Feminine Ideal in Classical Arabic Poetry"

by Michael Fickess

Classical Arabic poetry is a complex literary form which began with the oral traditions of Bedouin tribes in pre-Islamic Arabia and evolved into more diverse genres during subsequent centuries of Islamic influence. As a primary source for historical or anthropological inquiry, Classical Arabic poetry is invaluable because it provides a rich portrait of Arabia before and during Islamic rule, recording the sensual and social mores of a nomadic people who were closely connected to nature and each other. The portrayal of women in Classical Arabic poetry is idealized and contrasts with some other evidence available regarding the status of women in pre-Islamic Arabia.

"She Has My Sin, If I'm a Sinner..."

by Carl Davila

A fascinating feature of elite society in the medieval Islamic world was the institution of "artiste slavery" in which wealthy aristocrats, princes and caliphs enjoyed the entertainments of highly-trained female musicians, singers and composers. These women, though slaves, enjoyed signficant social status and prestige in elite circles, carving out a niche for themselves collectively in the era's gender discourses. This paper explores the history of this phenomenon, in the process illustrating the problems artiste slavery represented for the feminine ideal of the day.

"Religion and Hegemony"

by Richard Lovelace

The three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, share numerous features of both theology and moral outlook. And it is their differences that usually are highlighted. This extended meditation on the connections among these faiths, and how and why they differ, looks to the concept of "hegemony" for insights into how the misunderstandings among their respective communities might be reconciled.

In the afternoon, I attended the presentation of the Film Studies Department:

"Instruments of Desire: How the Monomyth and Sexual Behavior Eliminate the Gender Differential in Jane Campion’s 'The Piano'"

by Emily Wilkins

This paper focuses on Jane Campion’s 1992 film "The Piano." Drawing on Joseph Campbell’s theory of the monomyth, it argues that by portraying a female protagonist in a male-dominated society, Campion creates a world in which gender has no boundaries. Campbell’s monomyth theory states that all protagonists or heroes undergo a series of events in what is known as the hero’s journey. Evidence in Campbell’s "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" suggests the theory is predominantly patriarchal. In Campion’s film, however, the female protagonist follows Campbell’s theory of the hero’s journey, proving it is not only applicable to male protagonists. Moreover, through his physical acts and manner of communication with the protagonist, her lover indicates that he does not follow the conventions of the patriarchal society. These elements combine to prove that Campion’s film is feminist in its gender representation and universal in its approach through mythology.

"Mesh of Images: An exploration of Maya Deren’s 'Meshes of the Afternoon'"

by Jennifer LaMarsh

Maya Deren’s "Meshes of the Afternoon" (1943) rejects the influence of traditional Hollywood film structure by abandoning the literary origin of film as well as the visual form our collective socialized mind has come to assume. Deren’s medium re-presents expected images and leaves the viewer with a deposit of feelings to develop rather than a packaged meaning that may be taken to its logical end. Accomplished through her Imagist ethos, Deren rearranges conventional verbal and non-verbal language, refusing the one-to-one correspondence between images and their meanings. In the process of interpretation, the spectator recognizes and assembles the elements to reconstruct his or her visual experience. In creating a new transactional pattern between the message and its translation, a social reality which includes a female voice evolves. This paper examines Deren’s use of the Imagist aesthetic and its implicit meaning for female representation inside and outside of the film form.

"The Duplicity of Humanity in 'Night of the Living Dead'"

by Brian Boger

George A. Romero’s "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) is more than a low budget horror movie meant to shock 1960s era Americans. It is a scathing critique of that society. Fear of communism and the war in Vietnam consumed American culture, and this is reflected in Romero’s work. The audience is able to accept the presence of zombies in the film because the world they inhabit is a reflection of the country at the time. The walking dead remind the American public of the threat of communism. One sees the potential inherent in humankind juxtaposed against all its flaws. The audience bears witness to an impossible situation and is forced to acknowledge their own triumphs and failings. Ultimately, the film argues that if there can ever be hope for a society where race, gender, and social status do not matter, people need to transcend their selfish and violent natures.

"We Read the Same Gossip Columns"

by Jonathan Mannhaupt

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller "The Birds" is about a well-known heiress, Melanie Daniels, who secretly follows her new love interest, Mitch Brenner, to the seaside town of Bodega Bay. While she is there, the birds begin their attack. Historically, film scholars have interpreted the birds psychoanalytically, as a manifestation of Mitch’s mother’s dislike of Melanie. But after the death of Princess Diana at the hands of the paparazzi, we can see the birds as a metaphor for paparazzi and Melanie as the stalked celebrity. While in the city, she is safe from the birds because she goes about her daily routine. By leaving San Francisco to follow Mitch, Melanie sparks the attention of the paparazzi/birds because she becomes involved in a relationship. This paper argues that the birds represent a critique of the paparazzi, who will go to any lengths for a great shot of a celebrity.

Aren't they interesting? The pictures I took will be posted later.

Good job guys!

Well, I need to make a report about them. But I need to take a rest first as I arrived home at 7 p.m.

Now, back to watching American Idol. I can't believe Sanjaya Malakar's safe again. The people who are in the bottom three are: Phil, Haley and Chris. Chris Richardson! O my God, even David can't believe it.

Oh well.