Thoughts on the Real World: Brooklyn…

I am long past my MTV phase. The lure of oversexed and unrealisitc reality shows lost its appeal when I started having a social life of my own (the sex included). With the increased disbelief in the action I saw on the screen and my own fulfillment of an active life outside my living room, I gave up hope on shows like the Real World. In fact, the last season I had watched religiously was New Orleans, the cast of which I can still remember…BECAUSE THEY WERE REAL. That was season 9, and they are apparently beyond season 20 now. WTF? How did that happen?

The cast of the Real World: Brooklyn

But this season of the Real World has received a significant amount of press, making me actually pay attention. Taking place in Brooklyn, my neighbor to the east via the 6 train, this season features an intriguingly diverse cast. Not the traditional diversity based on race, but sexual diversity at an above-average percentage. Supposedly, 10% of the population is gay. In New York that number climbs to 30%. This cast, comprised of a larger cast of 8 instead of the traditional 7, has one gay man, one bisexual woman, and one transwoman. This is among other closeted members of the cast (cough. cough. Chet. cough).

These are really thrilling numbers. I am so glad that greater America can have the opportunity to finally see what being transgender/sexual is all about on a regular basis. It is not something to be ashamed of nor hidden. The same is true with bisexuality: it is possible to love both genders, and I am glad to see that this person is so accepted in the house. Everyone is a little bisexual, they just might not know it.

The gay man has been a routine inclusion in Real World houses, but not always with the best results or reputations. While I do not think that people should change to fit in, I hate gay stereotypes and I have trouble accepting those gay men who meet and flaunt them. It makes me feel like we will never get beyond lingering perceptions of promiscous gay men having sex all the time and wearing rings on bent-wristed hands. I cannot explain it fully because I do not have enough time or space to. And maybe it is too irrational for me to understand fully.

Watching the show reminds me of the same old tawdry arguments and scripts they have always used. They say the same things and have the same problems. So why should I watch? I do not know. Perhaps I am hoping that America will change as a result of one episode (perhaps enough to revoke Prop 8). Maybe I will at least see some places I am familiar around the city.

And that thing I said about Chet…well, I try to accept every person for what they say they are. After all, who knows you better than you? And I applaud his attempt to change perceptions on Mormons by acting the way he chooses. And I love that he was open-minded enough to wear eyeliner and go to the gay clubs (possibly convincing that other boy, who is trouble). But I cannot help this vibe of GAYNESS that I get from Chet. But, hey, I am not judging him either way. I think he will be who he wants to be.

See you next week Brooklyn cast: you have me (temporarily) hooked!

Briefly on Alitalia & Air France…

Air France-KLM nows owns 25% of Alitalia

Air France-KLM now owns 25% of the plagued Alitalia, Italy’s formerly state-controlled airline. The remaining 75% of the newly privatized company will be controlled by 25 investors who comprise the Italian Air Company. Previously Air France-KLM, a French and Dutch corporation, had attempted to buy out all of Alitalia and seize control of the company. There was also interest from Germany’s Lufthansa airline.

Alitalia went brankrupt this past August 2008 and has been purchased for a reported $1.4 million. Air France-KLM will pay approximately €322 million in both cash and equity for their stake in the new Alitalia.

My question is why?

My experience on Alitalia was far from stellar, and now I purposefully look for alternative airlines to utilize when getting to and around Europe.

I first took Alitalia in August 2007 for a semester I spent abroad in Florence. Butchered by peer review sites, I was immeditaely fearing that my luggage would be lost, as so many MANY more before me. While my luggage was luckily intact when I had arrived in Florence (after a lengthy connection in Rome), I was not. The meal service was absolutely repulsive: I still cannot tell whether I had chicken or fish on that flight. The seating was stiff and undersized, as well as cheaply decorated in spotted evergreen material that felt like denim against the back of my neck. Attendants were not rude, but they were also not very friendly. Televisions were scattered about the cabin and often broken. Moreover, the entire airplane felt out of date and rickety.

No mi piace Alitalia

Unfortunately, I had purchased a return flight with Alitalia for coming back state side that December after the conclusion of my semester abroad. Along with 400+ other students from NYU’s Florence program alone, I feared an impending strike that was being threatened by Alitalia for the day we were all to return to America. Apparently, this unreliability of flight staff (caused by strikes and the threat of them) was a major reason for the airline’s filing of bankruptcy. Luckily, once again, they were pacified by the Italian government, and we all made it home safe. Not all with our luggage, though: I had my own, but many of my friends did not.

So why does Air France-KLM want to become involved with this plague known as Alitalia? I have absolutely no idea. Here is hoping that they bring it up to Air France’s much-preferred standards.

Thoughts on Golden Globe fashion…

I do not like award shows. They do not entertain me. The movies and actors they celebrate do. So I leave it to their movies and their television shows to be their ackowledgement and triumph. Those movies and shows will last longer than the memory of any speech they will make at an awards ceremony. The Golden Globes in particular, which really do nothing for me other than prepare me for the Oscars.

But, hey. At least there is the red carpet and the fashions to look at. Here is a look at my favorites from last night and the others that grabbed my attention.

Versace

January Jones from Mad Men looks wonderful in Versace. Perfect color for her fair skin. Perfect hair to complement the overall shape of the gown and offset the strong lines. Very old glamour-art deco feel.

Chanel Haute

Cameron Diaz, attending for who knows what reason, stole the show with this pink gown by Chanel Haute Couture. It is perfect for the Golden Globes: not too formal, light weight, and more expressive with color. Even the shoes are great.

Christian Lacroix

Freida Pinto of Slumdog Millionaire looks great in this mustard gown by Christian Lacroix. The color is a fantastically rich pastel, like Cameron Diaz’s, and gives her body some necessary curve by bringing out those hips and that bust, while extending the length of the leg. The hair is easy, providing the necessary messiness (seemingly preferred this year), but still giving a clear shape.

Elie Saab

Evan Rachel Wood, not known for her dressing skills, scores a big hit with this dress by Elie Saab. Take note Tina Fey (this is said with love, I swear), this is what a plunging neckline should look like. With the pulled back hair, she really looks great.

Carolina Herrera

Renee Zellweger definitely took a risk with this gown by Carolina Herrera. And I think it works well. Sort of Victorian, I like the transparent top when added to the lush cut of the opaque fish tail. The hair I am NOT crazy about.

Lanvin

I love Kristen Scott Thomas. And, although this looks a little messier than I would prefer, I think this outfit by Lanvin works well on her. I am not a big fan of flesh tones, and I would have liked to see this in an olive tone or white. That bag is a big no for me.

J. Mendel

This is a gorgeous dress by J. Mendel. And Kate Beckinsale has the perfect body for it. I think it may be a little too formal for the Golden Globes, but those earrings offset the formality and make it seem, along with the bracelet, more hip and fun.

Dior

Dior

Sandra Bullock (right) and Eva Mendes (left) both look hot in these Dior gowns.

“Joe the Plumber” off the deep end in Gaza…

I just read this article on CNN. Apparently, the now-famous “Joe the Plumber” of the 2008 Presidential election cycle is complaining (perhaps kvetching is more appropriate given his current location) about the media. He has been quoted as saying, “I think the media should have no business in it,” referring to the impending war in Gaza. He says that the media is soft-soaping the situation between Israel and Hamas, making it appear that Israel’s actions have been too extreme and unjustified. He believes, on the other hand, that these measures are reasonable and should be supported.

Let us leave the subject of Israel and Hamas.

Samuel "the insane" Wurzelbacher

Is this man insane or does he just need attention? The only reason we know of this man is because of the attention the media (and, subsequently, the Presidential nominees) paid him. Now he turns his back on the people that made him famous. The best part of this story, though, is that “Joe” was sent to Israel in a journalistic capacity. A company called Pajamas Media, a conservative media outlet, and its site pjtv.com sent this ordinary Joe to Israel to report on the Israeli viewpoint on the Gazan conflict. If the media should be excluded from covering this story, would that mean his own media coverage would be in question? Or is it only those members of the media whose views differ from Joe’s own?

The election season already verified that he is NOT a plumber or at least the ideal the nominees were waxing philosophic about (as Joe had admitted that his company made in excess of $250,000 at an Obama rally). Nor is he a “Joe”- his real name is actually Samuel. I guess we know something else he is not…smart…a journalist.

Ann Coulter on The View this morning…

Damn, I love The View. Today’s episode really confirmed that for me. The guest was Ann Coulter (lovingly-termed Cunt-er on many internet sites). The already-infamous visit will no doubt be replayed over and over again on sites like YouTube, with many comments to follow, I am sure.

I came into the episode late. Despite having gone to bed relatively early to catch up on many lost hours, I did not arise until nearly 11:15AM. Had I known that the bull-headed Coulter would be a guest on Monday’s show, I would have been sure to wake on time with a prepared breakfast in front of the couch to watch the impending battle. Nonetheless, I woke up and turned on the television and was pleased to see Barbara staring back at me. As you know, whenever Barbara is on the show, a high profile guest is likely to visiting the set. And I was excited to learn from her introduction that the prolific Coulter was about to enter.

Ann Coulter's appearance at NYU

I saw Ann Coulter as recently as last month when she spoke at NYU. Since I work within the building where her speech took place, I was able to see the entire event from a lofty position in the empty back balcony. After a lengthy introduction by the (I-cannot-believe-they-exist-at-NYU) College Republicans, Ms. Coulter appeared before the large audience hall, half-filled by those wishing to protest her entire presence on campus. I would probably count myself among that crowd. Yet, I must admit, she was more-or-less a delight to listen to. Her political humor is impeccible, and she appears very knowledgeable. When she went off script, she stumbled a bit, but always recovered well. And she is lovely to boot. If only her voice were more conifdent and less like fingernails on a chalkboard…at a decreased speed (to explain the deep register). The thing is, though, she did not say anything. Too many one-liners and an unclear/unfocused topic make her less of a political pundit and more of a political satirist. My conclusion from her visit to NYU: she is an entertainer and not a very bad one. [Here is a snippet of her NYU performance and a review less kind than my own.]

That was at NYU. I know that the national spotlight provides less of a stage, where one can explain themselves and have redeeming qualities, than a storefront, forcing one to sell aphorisms and live with labels. So my prior conception of Coulter was reliant upon her storefront persona: the rude, politically incorrect conservative, who said that global warming was useful because she could have a tan longer. With no television contract or movies in the works, Coulter relies on her book sales and appearances to keep the money rolling in. And, boy, does she knows how to sell books: the bigger the controversy, the bigger her checking account. Critiquing 9-11 widows, pledging to fight for Hillary Clinton if McCain wins the primary for the Republicans, etc have all worked in the past for the wealthy Coulter.

Now what? Well, with a new book called Guilty, she thought she would stir up the daytime television pot with an appearance on the widely seen show The View. Take a look at the results.

I love how each View panelist brought a card full of questions they had for Ms. Coulter. I think they may have formally addressed one of those questions. Two if they were extremely lucky.

But who won? Let us add up the totals…

• +1 Sherri putting Ann in her place to defend Barbara
• -1 Barbara caving into Ann and reading it like Winnie the Pooh
• +1 Ann using studies to support her argument
• +1 The View ladies for not letting Ann finish her thoughts
• -1 Ann criticizing single moms, +.5 for excluding Whoopi
• +1 Joy refused to take Coulter’s shit

With 3 points to Ann’s 1.5 points, the ladies of The View win this interview/battle. But I think both win: The View in ratings; Ms. Coulter in book sales.