Wednesday, August 19, 2009
VH1 cancels Trophy Wife
"Megan wants a millionaire" has been canceled by VH1 due to the fact that one contestant, Ryan, is the primary suspect in a murder and still at large. He apparently also was the winner of "I Love Money 3" and that show is in doubt now as well.
We have always wondered what it would take for a reality show, particularly on VH1 to be pulled from the airwaves. In the past you have had whole shows devoted to those with addictions, participants who had been in jail, and as we have mentioned before, numerous individuals so stupid, disgusting, or scary that we pray to God that they don't contribute to the gene pool. Murder was apparently their limit.
Reality shows stopped being real a long time ago. The last one even close to real was probably season one of "Survivor." We don't even know why they call the 'Real World" real anymore - everyone on it is basically an actor, a wanna be actor, or someone who is playing an act to get more screen time.
We are thinking that reality tv reached its high-water mark with season 2 of "Beauty & the Geek." The first two seasons of the show were earnest, sincere, and fresh, along with the participants. (Brittany Knott, often featured in this blog, was on Season 2.) Season 3, which Megan Hauserman was on, retained much of the first two year's charm, but you could see things changing - the participants knew why they were there and had plans to win, rather than learn. Megan actually won that show, and showed what we think is probably more of true self that what you saw on her other shows.
Reality shows jumped the shark when they started having their own spin-offs. "Flavor of Love" begat "I Love New York." Rock of Love not only had sequels, but begat "Daisy of Love." VH1 also created "I Love Money" which spawned two sequels along with "Charm School." You started seeing the same participants in multiple shows. They stopped being reality stars and started being actors.
Megan Hauserman did that better than anyone. Over her five shows - "Beauty & the Geek", "Rock of Love", "I Love Money", "Charm School", and "Megan wants a millionaire" - she created her own brand. People liked her being mean and manipulative, so she was mean and manipulative. Ironically, people also called stupid at the same time, which makes little sense. It is hard to manipulate people when you are dumb. She also knew what got her air time - her looks - and used them to her benefit. Do you think they would have given screen time in all those shows if she wore a baggy sweatsuit? Abisolutely not.
We have to wonder what her future holds now. Obviously her tv career is on hold for a good bit. Ms. Hauserman is pretty typecast as well. Megan can probably still get paid club appearances, however. She also has an accounting degree and a sharp mind. We don't doubt that she can make a good life for herself outside the meda if she so chooses. Megan also has been said to have been careful with her earnings, too.
Reality TV may not fare as well. It has become so prevalent with so many shows that it seems almost anyone can get on a show if they are deparate enough. And desperate people of questionable intent seem to be the ones who want to be on the shows so much. Perhaps that is why you hear about more and more problems with the participants - there are fewer and fewer "normal" people who want to be on the shows. So the producers take whoever shows up and is interesting. We are also wondering how many millionaires actually tried out for Megan's show. We have talked before of how little net worth they had - the richest possessed only ten million dollars and several were at just a million. That isn't a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.
Hopefully this sad incident will cause tv execs to rethink their strategy in regards to reality tv. Fewer shows of more quality that have real people with real stories.
We can only hope.
We have always wondered what it would take for a reality show, particularly on VH1 to be pulled from the airwaves. In the past you have had whole shows devoted to those with addictions, participants who had been in jail, and as we have mentioned before, numerous individuals so stupid, disgusting, or scary that we pray to God that they don't contribute to the gene pool. Murder was apparently their limit.
Reality shows stopped being real a long time ago. The last one even close to real was probably season one of "Survivor." We don't even know why they call the 'Real World" real anymore - everyone on it is basically an actor, a wanna be actor, or someone who is playing an act to get more screen time.
We are thinking that reality tv reached its high-water mark with season 2 of "Beauty & the Geek." The first two seasons of the show were earnest, sincere, and fresh, along with the participants. (Brittany Knott, often featured in this blog, was on Season 2.) Season 3, which Megan Hauserman was on, retained much of the first two year's charm, but you could see things changing - the participants knew why they were there and had plans to win, rather than learn. Megan actually won that show, and showed what we think is probably more of true self that what you saw on her other shows.
Reality shows jumped the shark when they started having their own spin-offs. "Flavor of Love" begat "I Love New York." Rock of Love not only had sequels, but begat "Daisy of Love." VH1 also created "I Love Money" which spawned two sequels along with "Charm School." You started seeing the same participants in multiple shows. They stopped being reality stars and started being actors.
Megan Hauserman did that better than anyone. Over her five shows - "Beauty & the Geek", "Rock of Love", "I Love Money", "Charm School", and "Megan wants a millionaire" - she created her own brand. People liked her being mean and manipulative, so she was mean and manipulative. Ironically, people also called stupid at the same time, which makes little sense. It is hard to manipulate people when you are dumb. She also knew what got her air time - her looks - and used them to her benefit. Do you think they would have given screen time in all those shows if she wore a baggy sweatsuit? Abisolutely not.
We have to wonder what her future holds now. Obviously her tv career is on hold for a good bit. Ms. Hauserman is pretty typecast as well. Megan can probably still get paid club appearances, however. She also has an accounting degree and a sharp mind. We don't doubt that she can make a good life for herself outside the meda if she so chooses. Megan also has been said to have been careful with her earnings, too.
Reality TV may not fare as well. It has become so prevalent with so many shows that it seems almost anyone can get on a show if they are deparate enough. And desperate people of questionable intent seem to be the ones who want to be on the shows so much. Perhaps that is why you hear about more and more problems with the participants - there are fewer and fewer "normal" people who want to be on the shows. So the producers take whoever shows up and is interesting. We are also wondering how many millionaires actually tried out for Megan's show. We have talked before of how little net worth they had - the richest possessed only ten million dollars and several were at just a million. That isn't a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.
Hopefully this sad incident will cause tv execs to rethink their strategy in regards to reality tv. Fewer shows of more quality that have real people with real stories.
We can only hope.
Terry Grier going to Houston
Terry Grier, superintendent of schools in San Diego and former head of Guilford County Schools in NC, is the front runner for the top job in Houston.
Duke's Evil infects Syracuse
Greg Paulus has gotten an extension on his deal with the Devil he signed at Duke and is now the starting quarterback at Syracuse. One of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation,four years ago, he had given up football to play basketball for Coach K, aka "The Evil One."
We actually wish him luck. Rarely does a man get a chance to redeem himself from his sins and Syracuse might be far enough away from Duke for him to saved.
We actually wish him luck. Rarely does a man get a chance to redeem himself from his sins and Syracuse might be far enough away from Duke for him to saved.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Trophy Wife :Episode 2
Tonight's episode showed why Megan Hauserman is a reality tv star. The network needs to go ahead and green light the second show we pitched them, "The Prenup." Then it needs to go ahead and do the show that we want to be in, "The Mistress" where Megan cheats on her millionaire husband with yours truly.
Last week Megan got rid of the poor guys that that were either too nice to be on the show or didn't need to be on it in the first place. Now we can root against the remaining guys with no guilt.
The Ed Hardy plumber is now gone. When asked to give a Valentine's Day gift to Megan, he wrote her a song from his heart called, "Sex Mode." Ed Hardy the Plumber did not realize that Megan has no interest in what's in the front of his pants, just the wallet in his back pocket. If he had gotten a major rock star to sing it for Megan and thrown in a private concert she would have loved it. Sung by him, with no other gifts involved, she was underwhelmed. Ed the Plumber then was heartbroken and told Megan he was leaving the show. For a moment, we thought he had some brains and spunk. He was going to dump Megan, not the other way around. But she talked him out of it and you just knew it was so she could dump him. But poor Ed did not realize that, and was heartbroken when he was credit was denied at the end of the show. We didn't feel sorry for him, we think old guys who wear Ed Hardy don't deserve to exist, much less date hot chicks.
Once again, we have to wonder if they really vetted the so-called millionaires on the show. One of the contestants tonight got his credit card declined for a little under $500. Getting declined for a charge that little is just plain embarrassing. We spent more than that for dinner New Year's Eve taking out a potential Mrs. Gate. (And we did better on our date than he did, too.) He should have used American Express like we do. It doesn't have a pre-set limit. Wannabe Millionaires, don't leave home without it. Megan dumped him, too, of course.
We were impressed with Shaun tonight. He totally made up for the dog barking incident last week by spending good money on her gift. Plus, he tipped the concierge tonight, which showed some class. That will pay off. You always want to take care of those guys because they will take care of you.
Our two favorites to win are still Sex Toy Dave and the Vodka maker. Personally we want the Vodka guy to win so when Megan cheats on him in her show after "The Prenup" we can drink for free. It will be called "Megan Cuckolds a Millionaire" and we plan to be her co-star.
Last week Megan got rid of the poor guys that that were either too nice to be on the show or didn't need to be on it in the first place. Now we can root against the remaining guys with no guilt.
The Ed Hardy plumber is now gone. When asked to give a Valentine's Day gift to Megan, he wrote her a song from his heart called, "Sex Mode." Ed Hardy the Plumber did not realize that Megan has no interest in what's in the front of his pants, just the wallet in his back pocket. If he had gotten a major rock star to sing it for Megan and thrown in a private concert she would have loved it. Sung by him, with no other gifts involved, she was underwhelmed. Ed the Plumber then was heartbroken and told Megan he was leaving the show. For a moment, we thought he had some brains and spunk. He was going to dump Megan, not the other way around. But she talked him out of it and you just knew it was so she could dump him. But poor Ed did not realize that, and was heartbroken when he was credit was denied at the end of the show. We didn't feel sorry for him, we think old guys who wear Ed Hardy don't deserve to exist, much less date hot chicks.
Once again, we have to wonder if they really vetted the so-called millionaires on the show. One of the contestants tonight got his credit card declined for a little under $500. Getting declined for a charge that little is just plain embarrassing. We spent more than that for dinner New Year's Eve taking out a potential Mrs. Gate. (And we did better on our date than he did, too.) He should have used American Express like we do. It doesn't have a pre-set limit. Wannabe Millionaires, don't leave home without it. Megan dumped him, too, of course.
We were impressed with Shaun tonight. He totally made up for the dog barking incident last week by spending good money on her gift. Plus, he tipped the concierge tonight, which showed some class. That will pay off. You always want to take care of those guys because they will take care of you.
Our two favorites to win are still Sex Toy Dave and the Vodka maker. Personally we want the Vodka guy to win so when Megan cheats on him in her show after "The Prenup" we can drink for free. It will be called "Megan Cuckolds a Millionaire" and we plan to be her co-star.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Our Secret Shame
We like musicals. There we said it. And we are not ashamed. But we just got down watching the movie verison of "Mama Mia!" and came away disappointed. Mostly because of Meryl Streep. She may be a great film actress but she just ruined the film for us. For some reason we could never connect with her character. It may have been because we don't think she is that attractive and could not imagine guys like Colin Firth or Pierce Bronson pining away for her for over twenty years.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
Obama supporters claimed that he would heal the nation, change hearts, and usher in a new era of responsibility. None of that has happened, and it isn't really his fault. He is just a man. A pragamatic man who has realized that there is a big difference between what you say as a candidate you will do as President and what you capable of doing as a President. His supporters should realize that and not hold him to that high a standard.
But it is a standard that he created for himself. Obama did nothing to discourage the talk of him being the new poltical messiah. He encouraged it through campaign props and speeches. Now he has to pay the price for the campaign that got him into the office.
But it is a standard that he created for himself. Obama did nothing to discourage the talk of him being the new poltical messiah. He encouraged it through campaign props and speeches. Now he has to pay the price for the campaign that got him into the office.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Cash for Clunkers
Cash for Clunkers is another reason why the government doesn't need to be running businesses. They took an idea with promise - turn in your older car and get money towards a new one that is less harmful to the environment - and twisted it to something that actually hurts both the environment and the economy.
Since the old cars have to be junked, landfills will see an increase in deposits. Plus, some of the cars turned in were still road worthy and possessed a value more than the $4,500 trade-in, so the dealers can't sell them. And finally, because the engines have been ruined, spare parts prices will increase.
Since the old cars have to be junked, landfills will see an increase in deposits. Plus, some of the cars turned in were still road worthy and possessed a value more than the $4,500 trade-in, so the dealers can't sell them. And finally, because the engines have been ruined, spare parts prices will increase.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Trophy Wife
Last night we watched Megan Hauserman's newest reality show vehicle, "Megan wants a millionaire." Or, as we like to call it, "Trophy Wife." The show is pretty much a cross between "Beauty & The Geek" and "Rock of Love" with Megan playing Brett Michaels and the millionaires geeks.
We have to wonder how much vetting was done on the millionaires. One wasn't a millionaire, just a geeky kid living with his parents waiting for his Granddad to die and leave him money. The others had millions in net worth, but were not all that rich in the grand scheme of things. The top millionaire was a self-described trust fund baby with a net worth of just ten million. Don't get us wrong, we would like to have that kind of assets, but in our experience there is rich and there is RICH and all the guys on the show were the lower case version. A net worth of a million dollars isn't all that much when you consider that one's house can be included in that sum along with your retirement assets. By that standard, even we come pretty close to that amount.
Perhaps most of the rich guys who considered being on the show realized that with that kind of money they don't have to go on vh1 to get a hot chick. Granted Megan Hauserman has a certain "je ne sais quoi" but if you have enough money you can get that in a woman without too much trouble. But these guys might not know that, and in the case of some of them, that may be more difficult than it sounds.
The millionaires were for the most part working class first generation wealthy. Not that there is anything wrong with that. One owned a plumbing company, which you know makes him rich. He seemed to spend most of it on Ed Hardy shirts. Not that there is anything wrong with that either, if you are a guy in his twenties that can wear loud shirts with flaming skulls and get away with it. But he can't. Another was a distributor of adult products over the internet. He is our early favorite to win Megan's mind, if not her heart.
The contestant we most connected with as a viewer was Donald, a producer of direct to vidoe movies with titles like "Chainsaw Cheerleaders." Donald is a heavyset older man who seemed to think he was young, hot, and cool. He may not have worn Ed Hardy shirts, but he kept quoting from current singers such as "Lady Gaga" which didn't make him sound cool, just weird. If there ever is a "Beauty & the Geek" for older guys, he needs to be on it. Unfortunately for him, Megan's show is not about overcoming shallowness towards guys like Donald but reveling in it.
We have to wonder how much vetting was done on the millionaires. One wasn't a millionaire, just a geeky kid living with his parents waiting for his Granddad to die and leave him money. The others had millions in net worth, but were not all that rich in the grand scheme of things. The top millionaire was a self-described trust fund baby with a net worth of just ten million. Don't get us wrong, we would like to have that kind of assets, but in our experience there is rich and there is RICH and all the guys on the show were the lower case version. A net worth of a million dollars isn't all that much when you consider that one's house can be included in that sum along with your retirement assets. By that standard, even we come pretty close to that amount.
Perhaps most of the rich guys who considered being on the show realized that with that kind of money they don't have to go on vh1 to get a hot chick. Granted Megan Hauserman has a certain "je ne sais quoi" but if you have enough money you can get that in a woman without too much trouble. But these guys might not know that, and in the case of some of them, that may be more difficult than it sounds.
The millionaires were for the most part working class first generation wealthy. Not that there is anything wrong with that. One owned a plumbing company, which you know makes him rich. He seemed to spend most of it on Ed Hardy shirts. Not that there is anything wrong with that either, if you are a guy in his twenties that can wear loud shirts with flaming skulls and get away with it. But he can't. Another was a distributor of adult products over the internet. He is our early favorite to win Megan's mind, if not her heart.
The contestant we most connected with as a viewer was Donald, a producer of direct to vidoe movies with titles like "Chainsaw Cheerleaders." Donald is a heavyset older man who seemed to think he was young, hot, and cool. He may not have worn Ed Hardy shirts, but he kept quoting from current singers such as "Lady Gaga" which didn't make him sound cool, just weird. If there ever is a "Beauty & the Geek" for older guys, he needs to be on it. Unfortunately for him, Megan's show is not about overcoming shallowness towards guys like Donald but reveling in it.
But we didn't really like Donald, we mostly just felt sorry for him. That was more than we felt for the other contestants, however. Money can buy (or rent) you love, but it can't give you class. The casting crew found probably the only rich guys in America whose money could not trump their personality. Some were crass, some were jerks, and one was so nervous he tried to impress Megan by barking at her. Evidentally it must have worked in the past but it certainly did not last night. To behonest, some of the guys needed to be on the male version of "Charm School" which is called "G's to Gents." (For the record, we only watched that show once and came away convinced that incarceration is better for certain individuals than rehabilitation.)
Megan Hauserman is of course the star of the show and if ever someone had her role down pat it is her. We are convinced that more than anyone else in reality show history she is playing a character and has done it better than anyone else in the medium. She knows what the producers and the public want and she gives it to them. You can't fault her for that. Or for the fact that she is pretty hot. Megan probably may not find love on the show, but that isn't the point. Just enjoy the show and marvel at bunch of guys with enough sense to make millions were willing to embarrass themselves on national television.
That's American television today. Deal with it and admit the guilty pleasure.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Greensboro College on right track
Greensboro College appears to be back on track with Carter Pate assuming the role of Board Chairman. An accountant and high-profile partner of a national company, he seems to have the right mix of skills and prominence to be lead the school back from the brink.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Michael Vick
Vick has done his time and deserves the chance to play football again in the NFL. Individual teams have the right not to employ him if they so choose, however.
The Laura Croft in Charlotte
The real life Laura Croft is in Charlotte tonight at Whisky River. Some guys prefer their women with pixels, but not us.
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