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Word of the Day: Spontanuity

GiggleSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:30:00 -0800

After the Miss Teen South Carolina "like such as" speech fiasco and all the fun that followed, it's a wonder why The Donald and company would give these pageant queens their own reality show. But he did, and we now have this educational clip of Miss Teen USA, Katie Blair, correcting her boyfriend's diction. (Excuse Noah Webster, while he rolls over in his grave.)

No, Reality TV Isn't Dead Yet

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:28:46 -0700

Wayne Brady has been tapped to host Fox's "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" The show will ask contestants to sing the missing lyrics to up to 10 songs for the chance to win $1 million. This sounds suspiciously like NBC's "The Singing Bee," and America certainly doesn't need two karaoke-themed game shows. For that matter, America doesn't need one karaoke-themed game show.
For the second week in a row, the bad reality roundup includes a Donald Trump project. This time, it's "Pageant Place," a show for MTV that will follow Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA living in the same apartment during their reigns. Apparently, the three beauty queens always live together, so my biggest question is: How has this not been filmed before? (And, on a related note, how do those three egos fit in a New York-sized apartment?)
VH1 has a whopping five new reality shows in the pipeline. Worst among them: "Danny Bonaduce’s Child Star,” featuring the former Danny Partridge looking for the next great kid actor/stage parent combo, and "The Salt 'N' Pepa Show," following the trio's attempted reunion. (But I'm not going to lie: "America's Most Smartest Model," hosted by Ben Stein, is probably going to be awesome.)

Oh yes, there's more, so read more

Following the stunning success of "National Bingo Night" and "The Great American Dream Vote" (...kidding), ABC is trying yet another prime-time game show: "Set for Life," hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Contestants will try to win some large amount of money paid as a monthly check for the rest of their lives, though I have no idea what they have to do to get it. According to ABC's press release, "This show does not require skill." Good to know.
Speaking of which, CBS has "Power of 10" lined up for an August debut. In this one, Drew Carey will guide contestants to answer questions posed to the American public; those who correctly predict how the majority of people respond can win up to $10 million. Basically, it's "Family Feud" without the family (or Richard Dawson).

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Miss Homeless Pageant: Charitable or Out of Line?

SavvySugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:30:05 -0800

In an act of charity (?!), Belgium social worker Mathilde Pelsers and her daughter, 19-year-old beauty queen Aline Duportail, organized the first-ever "Miss Homeless" Pageant.

The pageant, which took place over two months and included 10 homeless female contestants, was designed to raise awareness for the homeless population, and awarded the winner, 51-year-old Theresa Van Belle with a one-year, rent-free apartment stay - and the title of "Miss Homeless."

While the motivation for the contest seems well-intentioned, the pageantry itself seems a questionable show of support. Surely there are better ways to raise awareness for this cause - ones that don't involve the exploitation of the homeless as pageant spectacles. I don't know about you, but judging homeless women on their runway skills seems in bad taste. So tell me, what do you think? Is the "Miss Homeless" pageant an innovative way to raise support or does it cross the line?

Rashida Jones and Chris Pratt Talk Parks and Recreation

BuzzSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:38:35 -0700

Since the beginning of the Fall season, Parks and Recreation has gone from shaky midseason replacement to a solid half-hour of comedy, thanks in part to a talented and hilarious cast. Two of my favorite actors from the show, Rashida Jones and Chris Pratt, who play Leslie's best friend Ann and Ann's ex-boyfriend Andy, respectively, chatted with some reporters this week about Parks and what's in store for their characters.

Rashida on the possibility of Ann and Andy getting back together: You know, I don't think it's an impossibility. I think there's still love in Ann's heart for Andy. I think so much would have to change for him to be OK with her. But I don't think it's an impossibility.
Chris on whether Andy will get a job or home: Yeah, the writers have found a nice way for Andy to get out of the pit and get a job and start sort of working his way up into independence.

To read more on why Chris and Rashida think the second season has been better, Ann and Andy's ex relationship, and those nude scenes, just read more.

Rashida on whether she likes Ann and Andy better together or apart: I think there's a lot of comedy both ways. I mean, I like this particular paradigm; I think it's really funny, because I just think Chris gets to shine a lot here and do something with something that could potentially seem really kind of cartoony and big which is like him, you know - showing up places and pretending to be casual about seeing me and all that. But he manages to make it kind of realistic and really sweet. So I like this dynamic for now.
Chris on whether Andy will start dating: I think that Andy's undying devotion toward Ann is one of the only things that sort of redeems him, so I hope not. I hope that he just keeps pining after Ann for 10 seasons to come. That would be the best for me.
Rashida on what Chris wears when he's naked on the show: They have those really unappealing little dance belts that were uncomfortable for Chris Pratt.
Chris on the nude scenes: Yeah, let's just say there was a dance belt included and it was uncomfortable. They kind of just are these little things that cover up your junk, but it was almost as if I was wearing nothing at all. Yeah.
Rashida on the show clicking more in the second season: It just takes time. I think for the actors, for the writers, for the audience, you just need some time to settle into what the characters actually are, and what's funny about their dynamics. And I'm super grateful that people gave us a shot to get there but I definitely think it takes about 10 episodes to even know what anything is, you know? I mean, you watch some early Seinfeld, you watch some early Sex and the City, it's nothing like the show turned out to be; the things that people loved about that show did not exist at the beginning of that show, you know.
Chris on the same: I've noticed that, as a fan of the show, I've seen it get better and better, and working on it I've noticed the scripts coming down the pipes have gotten better, but it kind of goes back to what Rashida said: it takes time for everybody. And I think it's just a matter of finding the sensibilities to all the characters and starting with Amy, you know; I think a lot of people compared Steve Carell to Ricky Gervais from The Office when they first started the American version of The Office. But he has a different style of comedy, and maybe they were writing for Steve the way they did for Ricky Gervais. And maybe in the beginning, they were writing for Amy the way that they wrote for Steve Carell, but her comedic sensibility is a little different. Maybe it's not that funny to watch her be uncomfortable the way it is with Steve Carell, but it's so goddamned endearing when she smiles. And you see her and when she's enjoying herself, so is the audience. And you see her doing that a lot more now; kind of just becoming comfortable in who she is, and like the episode with the beauty pageant, she's standing up for women's rights. You're seeing more dimensions of her. And maybe it's always been who they've envisioned her to be, or maybe they're figuring it out, but I sure like Leslie a lot more in the second season. I just enjoy watching her more and I think that's starting to happen with all the characters.

Don't forget to tune in to watch Ann and Andy on tonight's special Halloween episode; something tells me that some of what Rashida and Chris talked about will start developing sooner rather than later!

A Peek Inside the Plastic Surgery Beauty Pageant

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:38 -0700

I'd heard about the Hungarian Miss Plastic Hungary beauty contest a few months ago, but now there's footage of this unprecedented event. The contestants, all of whom have gone under the knife and are oddly dressed like Leeloo from The Fifth Element, competed for prizes including a car and an apartment. (In case you're wondering, no, cosmetic procedures such as Botox didn't count - only surgery such as rhinoplasty did.)

I find this concept odd, but then again, I have always found beauty pageants unsettling. At the same time, there's something refreshing about this one's frank acknowledgment of the nips and tucks. After all, in traditional beauty pageants, many contestants have had some surgical tweaking, but that's not disclosed. At least this Hungarian pageant says, "Nope, nothing fully natural here." Do you think that's a better way to go about pageantry, or do you find the whole thing bizarre in the first place?

Miss Nepal Pageant Not Looked at Kindly by Maoists

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you're a Nepalese woman in search of a tiara, the outlook is bleak. The ruling Maoist party has postponed the Miss Nepal contest, set to be held this weekend, for the sixth time this year. In the battle between beauty queens and bureaucrats, oddly their takes on the issue are at once at odds and the same.

The women who were supposed to have been in the canceled pageant say they've been "victimized" by the government's decision. The government says they were trying to stop a practice that they say discriminates against some ethnic groups and demeans women. Specifically, according to the Maoist's most senior woman, it's not fair to shorter, darker women and further objectifies the winners by making them appear in toothpaste and shampoo ads.

To see the women's rights ramifications, read more.

The pageant was set to take place in the army's headquarters given the tumult surrounding it. One of the contestants said the cancelation violates women's rights, saying, "I feel like we are under a dictatorship more than being a republic or democratic." The crux of the argument appears to be whether a beauty pageant can further a woman's skills and lifestyle, or whether being judged on looks is a degradation above all else. That argument, however, may be covering up the growing perception that the Maoist party is puritanical and obsessed with social control.

Whose side are you on? Is it a woman's right to be in a pageant? Is the real issue here government control?

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Who's Crowned Miss Canine Costa Rica?

PetSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:13 -0700

Well here's an award show I've never heard of – the 'Miss Canine Costa Rica 2008' contest! Held in San Jose (not CA), over 300 dogs came out to participate in the two-day pup pageant held by Spanish-language magazine, Pets Y Mas, and turns out there was more than one winner! This cutie pie is Lila, a female Miniature Schnauzer, who won the Miss Canine photogenic competition at the festivities. To see the first place winners in the puppy and adult dog categories read more.

Below that's Tachie, a female Beagle, who captured the first place crown for 'Miss Canine Costa Rica 2008' in the puppy category and female Yorkshire Terrier, Sammy, crowned as the all-around winner of 'Miss Canine Costa Rica 2008' in the adult category. Too cute – they're all stars in my book!

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Bella Donna: Sophia Loren

BellaSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:30:22 -0800

Sophia Loren has been gracing the silver screen for upwards of five decades with her voluptuous figure, toothy grin, flawless Italian skin, and mesmerizing eyes. Born in Rome in 1938 on the cusp of WWII, her early years were spent in the war-torn town of Pozzuoli, hiding in bomb shelters and helping her mother and sisters care for injured soldiers. She fell deeply in love with acting at age 11 during Hollywood movie night at the only theater in town.

Her big break came when she was pulled off the floor at a nightclub to compete in the Miss Roma pageant, where she not only took second place, but captured the eye Carlo Ponti, a prominent film producer of the day. Despite requests from many directors, Sophia embraced her distinct looks by refusing to lose weight, get a nose job, or alter her appearance in any way for a role. In doing so, she became the fearless and devastatingly glamorous beauty icon we know her as today.

In a world consumed with cosmetic surgery, Sophia Loren reminds us of how striking a naturally unconventional look can be. By embracing her stunning looks and tirelessly pursing her dream, she is the perfect example of a true Bella Donna.

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Would You Pose Without Makeup?

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:00:00 -0800

This is pretty cool: Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins is on the cover of Australian Marie Claire, and she's not wearing any makeup. Okay, okay, so she's had the benefit of professional Photoshopping, but still: How often does this happen, and how many pageant queens would say that such an act is "no big deal"?

She's a braver soul than I am, that's for sure. If I know I'm getting my picture taken, I definitely put on a little mascara and tinted moisturizer. (Without it, I look about as alluring as Uncle Fester.) So I'm wondering: If you were in Jennifer Hawkins' place, would you want to pose without makeup?

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