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Monday, July 7, 2008
7/7: Newnan’s “Bachelorette” DeAnna Pappas finds “man of her dreams”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Upfront, I have to say these dating shows, especially the “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” series, makes me feel kind of queasy inside. And definitely not in a good way. The journey is why viewers watch these shows, not the results (which seldom end well after the show is over.). Some find the fantasy exhilarating, captivating and romantic. Maybe it’s a gender thing, but I find it sickening, histrionic and when not feeling ill, just plain boring.
But alas, sweetie pie DeAnna Pappas (pronounce it De-ahhhna, not De-ANN-a) is from metro Atlanta so I feel an obligation as a TV writer to suck it up and take one for the home team. I barely got through last week’s show and am now about to embark on a two-hour trip through the hell that is the “Bachelorette” finale.
For those who don’t need to read any more, she picked Jessie, the cool snowboarder, and rejected earnest single dad Jason. She now says she’s engaged with him. We’ll see if they ultimately follow through with a wedding.
“I’m so in love with her,” Jessie said. “She’s my soul mate.”
She gives him the rose at 9:58 p.m. and I’m so glad it’s over. Wedding date: May 9, 2009.
“My connection with him is so strong,” she said. “I feel like I cannot live without him. I can definitely see Jessie by my side the rest of my life. I see a life that is full of love, excitement. He’s someone who gets me. He’s someone who makes me a better person.”
She told Jason in the post-show interview, that she made her decision close to the end of the process. “It had nothing to do with the fact you have a son,” she said. She said she was falling in love with him but wasn’t “in love.”
Going back to the beginning, we hear endless declarations of happiness and love from both guys. Endless!
Hey, at least we get to see scenes from Newnan! Her home is very suburban, very pleasant. “When I brought Brad home. everyone was completely accepting and thought we were going to be together,” she said.
“It completely crushed and crushed our family,” said DeAnna’s sister Chrissy.
“I want to be in love,” said DeAnna.
I was out and just got home. It’s now 9:40 p.m. and I’m on the DVR at 8:15 p.m. So I’m going to fastforward to the results, then backtrack. Or maybe not. Am I really missing anything?
I watch her reject Jason, the single father. “You have no idea how much I care about you,” she said. “I know my life would always be good for you. I’d always be safe and depend on you. Although I’m falling in love with you, I’m in love with somebody else.” Smack!
He’s shocked but doesn’t seem as devastated as Jeremy last week. “Why me?” he opines. “I was so ready to be in love again.” For TV purposes, the guy is a bore so no loss in that sense.
“I don’t wish pain on this on anybody,” Jason said in the post-show special.
Since she was rejected by Brad Womack a few months ago, she noted, “I know how he feels leaving.” Shoe’s in the other fit—but that’s because of the way the show is structured. In real life, she probably wouldn’t have led Jason along like that but she had no choice. The show requires a choice at the end and a rejection like that.
Jessie, the snowboarder, is the man. She opted for more adventure, the wild card, turned down the safer bet. I certainly like him more.
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7/7: Janet Jackson’s reality show auditions, National Geographic show rehabs Vick dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The umpteenth reality show audition is being held Wednesday but it does have the pedigree of MTV and part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson. The show is seeking someone who can dance and sing, along the lines of a Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown or… Janet herself.
Registration is this Wednesday July 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dance 411 Studio, 749 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta. More details from the press release:
Aspirants must be at least 16 years old and not appear older than 22 and must be able to both sing a cappella and dance their own personal style at the open call. If they impress the casting director, they will be invited to the second call back round where they will prove their worth in front of international dance luminary Gil Duldulao.
As part of the lead up to the open call, on the day before (July 8th at 6:00pm) at Dance 411 Studio (749 Moreland Ave., Southeast Atlanta, GA 30316), Gil will personally teach an original choreography in a large master class open to the general public (and press) free of charge.
-National Geographic Channel, aware of a potential ratings bonanza, is focusing on several dogs once owned and abused by Michael Vick. using its “dog rehab” show Dogtown. Mark your calendar. It’s coming out Sept. 5 ant 9 p.m.
Here’s some basic info via press release:
Viewers follow the journeys of four of the most challenging dogs — Cherry, Meryl, Denzel, and Georgia — as Dogtown’s team of dedicated experts works to help them overcome their violent pasts and live happier, healthier lives.
Dogtown, a shelter for lost canine souls, is part of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, one of the largest no-kill animal facilities in the country.
Here’s a video of what Dogtown looks like:
CHERRY
Cherry, who may have been used as bait to train more aggressive fighters, is terrified of people. It will take a lot of love and support to help him gain confidence. When he arrives at Dogtown, Cherry flattens himself to the ground and refuses to walk on a leash. By slowly introducing him to new faces and experiences — including a recording of dogs “laughing” — Cherry’s trainers begin to draw him out of his shell. Can Cherry overcome his extreme fear and possibly become ready for adoption?
MERYL
Meryl is seriously aggressive and was ordered by the court to stay permanently at Dogtown. Trainer Ann Allums loves a challenge and believes that a patient approach can help calm Meryl’s dangerous impulses. After she gains Meryl’s trust, Allums starts the dog on obedience training — always focusing on rewards instead of punishments. Meryl proves a quick study and moves on to agility training, seeming to gain confidence and self-control from her new skills. Although this unpredictable pit bull can never be adopted, she now has a chance for a happy life in Dogtown.
DENZEL
Denzel arrives with a potentially life-threatening illness, and Dogtown’s medical team must determine what’s making him so sick. He is diagnosed with a tick-borne parasite sometimes found in fighting dogs, which may mean the other pit bulls rescued with him are at risk as well. At first he seems to respond to treatment, but he soon relapses. Can a new medication help Denzel recover?
GEORGIA
Georgia’s body tells the story of her hard life. She has the scars of a prize-winning fighter, shows signs of having had many litters and had all her teeth pulled at some point in her past, possibly so she could be forcibly bred. Can this traumatized pooch learn to interact with humans and other dogs? To break Georgia of the bad and potentially dangerous habit of guarding her food, trainer John Garcia tries feeding her by hand — a risky maneuver. Even with no teeth, the dog’s powerful jaw could still do serious damage. Soon Georgia is making great progress and easily mastering basic commands. If she can pass Dogtown’s Canine Good Citizen Test, Georgia has a chance at a better life in a loving home.
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7/7: Jimmy Baron’s first day subbing for Zakk Tyler on Dave
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“This is seamless radio,” joked Jimmy Baron (right, from a photo shoot with what was then called Atlanta Jewish Life magazine a few years ago,). After two years off the air, he has a week-long temporary morning engagement on 92.9/Dave FM while Zakk Tyler and Jane Monzures are on vacation.
No, it wasn’t seamless by any stretch (and it never is the first day.) I had meant to catch him at 5 a.m. this morning but set my alarm 12 hours off so I woke up at 6:50 a.m., just in time to hear him say that.
“I’m sorry for the technical problems,” he said a few minutes later. “I’m not familiar with the controls. Hope you can get past that!”
But Baron just sounded happy to back on the air. For those of you who caught him, what did you think?
He was joined by former 99Xer Yvonne Monet and Chris Calandro on phones (with Denzel helping out). He was supposed to have WXIA’s Fred Kalil on to talk about Jeff Francoeur but forgot his number at home. He also had trouble getting a bit called “Have You Ever Met a Jew?” going after a long set up about going to the Mall of Georgia for July 4th fireworks. The dude he talked to thought Adolph Hitler was Jewish and that the way to recognize Jews is that they wear a Star of David. Baron had a field day with this, noting he wears a pin with a J on it; in fact, an extra S pin, too, to denote a “Super Jew.”
He did get a coup: Salman Rushdie joined the show live in studio to promote his new book, “The Entranchress of Florence.”
Baron tried to mine Rushdie’s days when he was in hiding for nine years after facing death threats for his book “Satanic Verses” but he moved on when it was clear Rushdie wasn’t in the mood, especially since it had happened nearly 20 years ago. “So ’80s,” Baron said. “There are fanatics who don’t like me and I don’t like them,” Rushdie said.
He took out nearly 30 minutes with Rushdie and it was actually pretty pleasant as Rushdie talked about his writing process, his love for ping pong (or “table tennis,” as Rushdie called it) and poverty in India, where he grew up. Okay, this is not normal Dave FM fodder and there was not a song heard so it’s easy to call this a tad indulgent on Baron’s part but why not? It was Salman Rushdie and he was in studio as opposed to doing a quick phoner.
From what I heard, this was really Baron’s show. Yvonne mostly ceded the mike to him on day one though she talked more during the news at 8:50 a.m. Tomorrow, the primary guest will be former 99X friend and ABC political commentator George Stephanopolous.
Zakk’s boss Mike Wheeler said Baron’s appearance is not to be considered an audition and that Zakk shouldn’t worry about his job security after five months.
