Froodee

Living. Blogging.

What is The Learning Channel teaching us?

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Does anybody remember when The Learning Channel used to be about, you know, learning? I can’t pinpoint the moment in time when the cable network re-branded itself as “TLC” and became a home for exploitative reality shows, but these days, the stuff TLC is teaching is the kind of thing nobody but the most voyeuristic viewers want to learn.

USA Today reports that Kate Gosselin (who apparently isn’t getting nearly enough TV coverage already) is starring in a new series for TLC called Twist of Kate, in which Gosselin travels around the country and “tries on” the lives of her fans. (Anybody else wondering who’s watching those eight kids while she’s out visiting her fans and dancing with stars and stuff?) She’ll also be starring in a series of Kate Plus 8 specials that follow-up on her former show while focusing on her life as a newly single mother.

Come on, TLC. I know Gosselin is a fame addict, but you’re totally enabling her.

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that TLC is so interested in staying in the Kate Gosselin business. This is, after all, the network that regularly brings us such TV landmarks as I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant, Toddlers & Tiaras (about child beauty pageants), Hoarders: Buried Alive, One BIG Happy Family (about a morbidly obese family), and no less than four different shows about little people. Not to mention all the shows they keep ripping off from the Food Network (I’m looking at you, Cake Boss and Ultimate Cake Off — Ace of Cakes and Food Network Challenge will be suing any day now).

Is there no low TLC won’t stoop to?

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

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Foodies watch out. There’s a revolution going on and Jamie Oliver’s right smack in the middle of it.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s new show airs tonight at 10PM on ABC. The show, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, actually aired a sneak peek on the 21st but I missed it. After seeing Larry King last night though my interest was peaked, not because it seemed a particularly entertaining show, but because I am eager to see how well the “revolution” will be accepted.

According to Ryan Seacrest (He’s the executive producer of the show. That guy is getting busier and busier by the minute!), he was “embarrassed as a teenager” because of his weight. Like Bill Clinton he thinks that by changing the kind of food served in school cafeterias he would probably have been less fat and reap better health as he grows older.

The revolution starts in Huntington, WV where Jamie helped change the daily menu from serving processed foods like pizza, frozen chicken nuggets, ready-to-eat eggs and corn dogs for breakfast and lunch to healthier foods made from fresh ingredients. Not surprisingly his first few weeks was met with resistance from the school cooks (They should be thankful it’s Jamie Oliver and not Gordon Ramsey that’s “revolutionizing” their kitchen) and the children. However, it seems that they are already warming up to the idea and other schools are starting to look into the possibility of making changes.

Jamie Oliver is also taking his advocacy to the White House where he wouldn’t be hard pressed to find an ally since we all know that First Lady Michelle Obama has made reducing childhood obesity a priority.

Reality Show Undercover Boss Peaks the Public’s Interest

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What do you do after watching the Super Bowl? Last night, those who didn’t feel like getting of their couches or bothering to even pick up tjeir remote all have the same answer – watch “Undercover Boss”.

Undercover Boss is CBS newest reality show. Each episode features a CEO of a big company go “undercover” by changing names and donning the uniform of regular Joes. The CEO then works alongside his own employees while cameras roll to “document the plight of laid off people looking for an entry level job”.

Undercover Boss’ first episode showed Waste Management, Inc. President and COO Larry O’Donnell sorting trash and being chided for being too slow at it. It also showed workers hurrying to meet productivity and punch in on time.

I did not get to watch last night’s episode but the reviews has definitely peaked my interest, not because they are all good but because of the scathing reviews. The show, according to Hank Stuever of Washington Post, is “an unbelievably juicy PR opportunity for the companies that agreed to do the project and a manipulative bummer for the unwitting employees who have the misfortune of appearing on it.” A sentiment that many seem to echo. However, others who have watched still seemed entertained. And of course, there’s still this optimistic side of me who wishes that the impact to CEOs will be real and will really trickle down.

Real or PR. Good or bad. One thing’s for sure: people are intrigued. In fact, Undercover Boss is currently the 24th most popular search term in the last hour according to Google!!! I’m sure that makes CBS happy.

Rozlyn of “The Bachelor” Booted Off for Inappropriate Behavior

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Rozlyn_papa_the_BachelorAs viewers of “The Bachelor” we are no strangers to drama; in fact, we’ve come to expect to see some each episode – the more drama, the better. The last episode was no exception but this time I have to say that the twist was pretty unexpected.

Rozlyn Papa was asked to leave by host, Chris Harrison, for having an “inappropriate relationship” with one of the Bachelor’s staffers. Jake Pavelka was crushed to when Chris informed he of the turn of events saying, ““I don’t know what to say … I’m hurt I’m disappointed. I felt like I’ve been taken for the fool. I didn’t see this coming.” Apparently Jake fully expects all the girls to act inappropriately only with him (Here’s to throwing your nice bikini-clad bodies at Jake!). The rest of the girls were of course just as shocked though there’s no doubt that there’ll be some relief for having one less competitor. As for the other party (a producer) he was sacked.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight Rozlyn Papa the whole thing was exaggerated by the show. She denies having had any sex with the producer and says that they were only friends. She also says that the whole issue concerns her because of its effect on her 7-year old son. Papa said, “I don’t know what to say … I’m hurt I’m disappointed. I felt like I’ve been taken for the fool. I didn’t see this coming.”

According to Chris Harrison they have proof of “inappropriate” behavior. What that specific inappropriate behavior is though, they still haven’t divulged.

Amazing Race Recap

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ar-meghan-cheyneThis is one of the few times when I felt really happy that the last Amazing Race leg was a non-elimination one. It’s not that I have a problem with playing dirty when it comes to Amazing Race, because we’ve seen that time and again, but because the brothers Sam and Dan are really irritating as well. Now I’m not saying that dirty tactics are 100% ok with me but I have come to expect at least several teams to end up stooping to questionable tactics, especially as the teams get fewer and fewer.

This week the four teams flew to Prague in the Czech Republic where they had to go to the Old Town district to find a Praga (a vintage car). Everyone went there via taxi except for Brian and Ericka who rode the bus and got stuck in traffic. They then headed to Kayaky Troja where they had to choose between “Fast and Furious” (kayak through a white water rafting course) and “Hangman” (pull themselves through a rope course above the rapids) where Sam and Dan had a hard time (haha!)kayaking ending up switching tasks. In the end Brian and Ericka caught up with them at the ropes but Brian had to wait for Ericka to get across. Sam and Dan ended up stealing Brian and Ericka’s taxi by negotiating a bigger fare. Roadblock was frustrating for Meghan and Cheyne because it involved looking for a mini-mandolin seat by seat in a theatre, which Cheyne obviously had a hard time finding. Even then they got to Prague Castle first winning themselves a trip to Lanai, Hawaii. Sam and Dan found the mini-mandolin quickly getting to the pit stop in second place. Obviously Meghan and Cheyne came in fourth but was really relieved to find out that it was a non-elimination leg.

Hopefully in the next leg it will be the irritating brothers who’ll end up last…