Breaking the Mold

Are we becoming allergic to the 21^st century?
CBC Newsworld aired Allergy Planet on The Passionate Eye (Mar. 16/09).
The doc, produced and directed by Naomi Austin, takes you from the most remote inhabited island, where 50% of its 400 residents are affected by asthma, to the impact of industrialization and pollution in L.A.

Narrated by Steven Mackintosh, Allergy Planet's examination of current research demonstrates one clear conclusion of immunologists: allergies are still a mystery.

The CBC doesn't have the episode available online, but I found the BBC airing on YouTube - sorry, it's in 6 segments.
Part 1 is here to get you going.
Here's the page with all segments of the 1-hour documentary.

Tags: [Naomi Austin] [Allergy Planet]
[Steven Mackintosh] [The Passionate Eye]

Album Artist's Cheat Sheet Tatters Reputation

Kristina Contes recently won a national scrapbooking contest but her title got taken away because of a scandal. Her name might be removed from the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame. Full Story...

Ms Contes contacted the magazine to ask that the article announcing the winning entry identify her friend in the photo credits. Since Contes had not taken the photos herself, a violation of the contest rules, her entry was invalidated and she had to return the crown.

I guess the runner up will fulfil the duties of the deposed queen.

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Can't resist - At least Contes didn't claim she'd been framed. She could have embellished the story.
Who knew? There's a scrapbooking hall of fame?

Reality Show - Coming Soon?- Hobby Wars
It might focus on the pressures of hobby competitions, strategies of The Sports Card Show and sacrifices made in the name of winning. Each episode might feature a different hobby:

• the advantages of using non-traditional language in the National Haiku competition, or


• Livestock Testing at the State Fair

There would have to be a special episode dedicated to Reading the Rules for Maximizing Elasticity: Bending Without Breaking.

Tags:[Kristina Contes]  [Creating Keepsakes]  [Scrapbook Hall of Fame]
[Scrapbooking]  [Hobbies]

Sweeping Up Detritus, Cleaning in the Corners

I was vacuuming under the blog topic production table and found these among the debris.

Jackson 5 Reunion Tour?
In November 2007, Jermaine Jackson announced that the quintet would hit the road with a Reunion Tour in 2008. Jermaine Dupri, Janet's beau, announced that the brothers would appear on stage for the first time since 1990 at his private New Year's Eve party at Studio 72 in Atlanta.

The Jackson 5, featuring brothers Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, and lead singer Michael found fame in the 1970s with hits I Want You Back and ABC. Later, youngest brother Randy joined his brothers onstage and the band was renamed The Jacksons.
I don't think the warm up reunion happened in Atlanta; I doubt there will be any Jackson Tour soon.

(Photo: The Jackson 5 & Randy with The Summers 5 et. al, ca. 1972)

Biddell Wins Project Runway Canada
I started watching Project Runway Canada's encore broadcasts in the wee morning hours. One Canadian designer would take away $100,000 to start his/her own line and receive a feature in Elle Canada.

I saw just 4 of the 11 episodes, and caught the announcement of the winner during the prime time finale. Because I didn't watch the entire 2-hour finale that featured the designers' collections at L'Oréal Fashion Week (I flipped it back just in time to see the judges' comments), I was shocked that judge Rita Silvan was moved to tears by the embodiment of hope that Lucien's collection exuded.

PRC was hosted by Iman. Brian Bailey acted as mentor to the contestants and the other judges were Shawn Hewson and Rita Silvan.
I know who Iman is (from I Am African and she's married to David Bowie). The other pros on the panel? No idea.
Crying over an evening gown? I don't get it. Up until now, my fashion runway exposure primarily came from Zoolander.

Project Runway Season 4 premieres tonight with host Heidi Klum. Emmy nominee Tim Gunn is back as mentor.

Gladiators Ready
The Writers' Guild of America's prolonged strike is good news for Hulk Hogan. Hogan returns to prime time television as host of American Gladiators. NBC announced AG as a possible mid-season replacement in October. With shows forced into hiatus from the lack of scripted material, NBC slotted the Weekend Warrior vs. Athlete remake in early.

Hogan was pursued to host not just because of his WWE success, but also the success of his VH-1 reality series Hogan Knows Best (2005), still the highest-rated debut of any VH-1 series.
Questions: Will the Challengers dodge tennis balls as they run through the obstacle course, or has this challenge been updated à la The Running Man?

Is it true that people are pre-ordering the action figure dolls?

American Gladiators debuted last night. A new episode airs tonight.

Tags: [Jackson 5]  [Michael Jackson]  [Jermaine Jackson]
[Jermaine Dupri]  [Reunion Tours 2008]

[Project Runway]  [Iman]  [Biddell]
[Lucien Matis]  [I Am African]  [Heidi Klum]  [Tim Gunn]
[Derek Zoolander]

[American Gladiators]  [Hulk Hogan]
[W.G.A.]  [WWE]  [Hogan Knows Best]
[The Running Man]  [Richard Dawson]

Who's Your Daddy? Tests to Go.

Such an obvious title.

Sorenson Genomics is test-marketing a do-it-yourself DNA kit.
The Identigene-branded paternity test, which carries a suggested retail price of $29.99, is the first of its kind to be sold over the counter at pharmacies" Read more

On the U.S. west coast, the sample collection kits are available in Rite-Aid stores. Meijer has the mid-west covered, including Michigan and Illinois. Using the prepaid mailer, and for an additional $119, the DNA samples will be compared by Identigene's laboratory.

4 Easy Steps to Proof * 1 Pick up your kit 2 Collect Cheek cell samples from child & alleged father 3 Send DNA samples for testing 4 DNA test results are provided via phone, mail, & email * Source: Identigene®

Sorenson's C.O.O., Doug Fogg, said, "We would certainly like to distribute this kit nationwide... a lot of people just are not aware that testing for paternity purposes is so readily available and affordable." "Just because something's available does not mean it's safe or effective or worth your money," Kathy Hudson, director of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University, countered. Day-time television viewers around the U.S. were loudly exclaiming, Maury Povich, in the case of paternity testing, you are not the father. Anymore.

Tags: [Sorenson Genomics] [Identigene] [Paternity Tests]
[Doug Fogg] [Kathy Hudson] [Maury Povich]

The Maury Show - Topic: I'm back to Prove the 2nd Baby Is Not Mine

Research Triangle's Leading News Source?

I've been loosely following Tranzyme's clinical trials of TZP-101, a prokinetic drug that shows promise in treating gastroparesis. The headline of this announcement got my attention:

Perscription for Growth?
Tranzyme Closes on $20M in New Financing

The sub-headline announcement about securing $20 million in capital was lost to the error in the headline. Perscription?

It would be perjorative to say that the busy editor of the preceeding story is a little out of practise. Persuing corrections is the perogative of the editor.

A basic spell-check would've caught the mistake.

Tranzyme Initiates Phase II-b Testing of TZP in multinational clinical study.

Tags: [Tranzyme Pharma]   [Gastroparesis]   [TZP 101]
[WRAL]   [Research Triangle]

Colbert's Man of the Year Challenge Undone

Comedian and late-night host Stephen Colbert was proclaimed the Favorite Son of South Carolina on Sunday. At a ceremony at University of S. Carolina, Columbia Mayor Bob Coble presented Colbert with a key to the city and a framed proclamation as South Carolina's Favorite Son. Coble then declared October 28th Stephen Colbert Day.

The executive council of South Carolina's Democratic Party met November 1^st to review all potential candidates. In order to be included on the ballot, each candidate must have national viability and demonstrate that he/she has been campaigning in the state.

Last night on his show, Colbert took a call from Carol Khare Fowler, chair of the state Democratic Party. She informed Colbert that he had not been successful in his quest for the presidency.

Originally, Colbert was going to run as both a Democrat and a Republican candidate, but the $35,000 filing fee required by the Republican party was too steep a price for his campaign. Colbert's campaign was sponsored by Doritos, the first time in history that a presidential candidate's campaign was funded by corporate sponsorship.

Colbert appealed to viewers to help him win by donating to a school in South Carolina at donorschoose.org. Over $40,000 has been raised so far.


Tags: [Stephen Colbert] [South Carolina]
[2008 Presidential Candidates] [Doritos]
[Donors Choose] [Schools in South Carolina]

Colbert in ' 08

During his appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert officially announced that he was officially announcing that he would officially consider making an official announcement about his candidacy for President of the United States.

Later, on The Colbert Report, Colbert confirmed that he would, in fact, enter the Primary in his home state of South Carolina as a Favorite Son. He will run as both a Republican and a Democrat candidate and floated the idea of sponsorship (advertising on his suits) in lieu of traditional fundraising.

Colbert's show parodies news broadcasting and political punditry. He has used the publicity tour for his book I Am America (And So Can You), to mock the process by which many candidates declare - Christopher Dodd (D) while a guest on Imus in the Morning; Rudy Giuliani (R) announced during a guest spot on Larry King Live; Mike Huckabee (R) on Meet the Press; Sen. John McCain (R) in New York on The Late Show with David Letterman, and Ron Paul (R) on C-SPAN.

It's been done before, a comedian running for U.S. President. Man of the Year (2006) starring Robin Williams as comedian Tom Dobbs. Wait, that wasn't real.

Colbert stated, "it will be a success for me if at the Republican or Democratic convention, someone stands up and says, 'The great state of South Carolina, home of the finest peaches, home of the finest shrimp, casts one delegate for Stephen Colbert.' "

Colbert surprised me...I figured he'd only run for President 30 minutes after Jon Stewart threw his own name into the ring (and Stewart's too smart to do that).


Tags:  [Stephen Colbert]   [2008 US Presidential Candidates]
[Jeff Greenfield]   [The Colbert Report]
[South Carolina Primary]   [Favorite Son of South Carolina]
[Jon Stewart]   [The Daily Show]   [Comedy Central]
[Robin Williams]   [Barry Levinson]

Do Not Create False Drive Thrus

A recent survey showed that more Americans can accurately list the ingredients in a Big Mac than recall the ten commandments.

In a study of 1000 people, 80% correctly identified the seven elements of the Big Mac; less than 60% remembered 'thou shalt not kill'. Read more...

The survey was completed at the request of the producers of the animated movie The Ten Commandments (Oct. 19).

Kelton Research also found that "survey participants had an easier time remembering the names of the six children on the old TV series 'The Brady Bunch.' "

Imagine how much more dismal the results might have been if Moses hadn't dropped a tablet, reducing the commandments from 15 to ten!

Tags: [Ten Commandments]   [Big Mac]   [Kelton Research]
[The Bible]   [McDonald's]
[Mel Brooks]   [History of the World Part II]

Summer TV Going to Hell?

There was a time that the Summer TV Schedule was a wasteland - reruns and Harlequin movies. After the solstice, networks roll out more uninspired reality TV (Age of Love) and feed some fan's guilty pleasures (Big Brother 8) . Cable, understanding that no matter the weather, viewers will watch quality programming, air new episodes of hits like Entourage beginning in July.

Ever-mindful that American Idol debuted as summer filler and has become the most popular TV show in America, network execs continue the quest for the next breakout.
Don't Forget the Lyrics and Singing Bee , two Karaoke game shows hosted by Wayne Brady and Joey Fatone respectively, look like passing fancy...no endurance.

Here's one we're eating up. Andrew and I are setting the clock to watch Chef Gordon Ramsay berate the candidates on

	Twelve aspiring chefs are vying to become Head Chef at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas. Ramsay never says it, but if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, is an essential premise. It's compelling TV.

We occasionally watched episodes over the past 2 seasons of the show, but this season, we're hooked! The opening sequence promises viewers that "one contestant has had enough and takes on chef Ramsay"; cut to an ambulance pulling in; cut to a chef running out of the kitchen into the dining room; cut to Ramsay yelling, "You almost killed him!" Flash a shot of flames from a pan on the burner jumping to the ceiling. "He would've died!" Ramsay yells at one hopeful.

Chef Ramsay's not all huff and gruff, cuss and criticism. Instead of sending Melissa home in Episode 5, he moved her onto the Blue Team, offering her a second chance. He saw that she had adequate kitchen skills, but her dictatorial leadership style was an obstacle her team couldn't overcome. She was a weak link after switching teams and was sent packing in Episode 6.

Flipside Those Karaoke shows may generate a little more interest now that Korea Banned Karaoke Bars (Reuters, July 11, 2007) . North Korea's security agency has ordered all karaoke clubs to close because they represent a threat to society. From the Ministry directive, this measure is required: "to squarely confront those who threaten the maintenance of the socialist system."

Andrew and I are both pleased that Julia's in the final 6. In the early episodes, she was put down by others because she lacked fine-dining experience (before Hell's Kitchen, she worked in a pancake house). She won't make it to final cut, but Julia has a positive attitude, works hard for the team and is willing to learn.

We both pick Rock and Jen to be in the final two.

Hell's Kitchen -

Monday at 9:00 p.m.

Tags: [Hell's Kitchen] [Fox Broadcasting] [Citytv]
[Food Network] [Reality Television] [Chef Ramsay]
[Karaoke] [American Idol] [Big Brother]
[Wayne Brady] [Joey Fatone]

Well Heeled

They're here. Convertibles for your feet.
Lauren Handel introduces The Camileon- shoes with retractable heels.

Handel describes making the conversion: You simply would just pull down on the lower half of the heel, you push straight under and then push straight back.
	Discussion on Today New York

In seconds it converts from a 3-¼ inch heel to 1-½ inch heel. The mechanical design was developed by Handel's brother, but the styling and production is Italian. '"There's no one like the Italians when it comes to footwear," said Handel.'
Prices start at $260.

It's really hard to walk in a woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes! (Sex and the City, Season 6, Episode 9: A Woman's Right to Shoes)


Tags: [Camileon Heels] [Lauren Handel] [Eneslow Shoes]
[Sex and the City]

Endless Imus

After major advertisers pulled out of his popular morning show, Imus in the Morning, MSNBC dropped its simulcast of Don Imus' WFAN show on April 11, 2007. The following day, CBS radio, owner of Sports Radio 66AM, cancelled his show altogether.

Over the next 4 days, the U.S. news was consumed with talk of The Don Imus Firing. Imus had already begun his N.J./N.Y. apology tour, but it was too late.

In the past year, we've heard about Mel Gibson's rant, Michael Richards' tirade, Isaiah Washington's repeated use of the f-word and now Imus.

Still, it seems we haven't learned. Take the case of the NYPD Sergeant who is alleged to have insulted his officers by referring to the three women as "hos", during roll call. The alleged incident is said to have occurred April 15^th.

And Pennsylvania's WSBG-FM Morning Man, Gary Smith, who turned Imus' tasteless insult to the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team into the daily Phrase that Pays. The station awarded prizes to 3 listeners on April 12^th who called in to claim prizes using the winning phrase.

Today, CBS Radio suspended (without pay) another morning show. WFNY-FM's Dog House on-air personalities J.V. & Elvis, twice aired what was described as "a racially charged prank call". Where was the producer on this one? Hard to believe not even one person on the crew ever said, What could possibly go wrong with this?

At least Mel and Michael went away. Isaiah would, if he ever stopped raising it. But Imus, Imus! It seems I can't escape Imus references.

My fear is that the Imus references will fade and the very next day, Sirius Satellite Radio will announce a show featuring [ta-da] DON IMUS!

[Don Imus] [CBS Radio] [J.V. & Elvis]
[Mel Gibson] [Michael Richards] [Isaiah Washington]
[Sirius Radio]

The Scoop

Ben and Jerry's has announced their newest flavor:

Seems to me, Marketing missed the boat. Shouldn't they have looked for a Colbert tie-in to a sherbert?

Over the past 8-months, Colbert has

• been rumored to host The Grammy Awards (he didn't) ;

  
  

• had a mascot named in his honor: Saginaw Spirit's Steagle Colbeagle of the Ontario Hockey League ;

  
  

• had a day named in his honor: Oshawa will celebrate Stephen Colbert Day on March 20, 2007 ;

  
  

• forced Wikipedia to shut down access to its entry about elephants, after Colbert suggested viewers of his show modify the information about the worldwide Elephant population, and

  
  

• coined the word 'truthiness' and seen it named Word of the Year (2006)
  

Colbert is said to be donating his earnings from the ice cream to The Americone Dream Fund, a newly-formed charitable foundation that will distribute money to as-yet-unnamed causes.

You know what happens when ice cream is over-exposed? It gets freezer burn and loses its flavor.

Tags:
Ice Cream/	Saginaw Spirit/	Stephen Colbert/	Ben & Jerry's

Note: The use of sherbert above is deliberate. Goes with Colbert.
Sherbet is the more widely-used term that describes a fruity frozen dessert similar to an ice. Sherbert is also accepted, as is sorbet.

The Princes of Malibu

Normally, this isn't the type of show I watch on TV. I was cruising the dial looking for something that was mindless. We had just ended an absolutely brutal Pinochle game. I was feeling pretty crummy before my -87 score! I stopped on The Princes of Malibu. I recognized David Foster and stayed tuned in.
Funny show. Not funny in an Arrested Development - way, but the antics on Princes are just so dumb, it's funny. Here's what happened: David Foster had Brody's Escalade towed because the 23 yr old had parked in "his spot" again. Not so outrageous, then you learn he had it towed to Phoenix! From Malibu to Phoenix! So then Brody retaliates by flying to Vegas with his brother and friend on D.F.'s plane. They run an enormous tab under the pretense of being with D.F. But the truth is uncovered by the Concierge and the boys have to pay for their shenanigans. Brody wonders how D.F. is going to react when they get home.

Brody's friend says, "What? Are you afraid of the guy from Canada who plays the piano?"

Follow up: I guess it was just that particular episode, matched with my mood or something. I've seen the show since then, and it's really terrible television!

Home to Very Random

Top

Go to No Access to Health Treatment