Video Beat EXTRA Part 2 - AMERICAN IDOL RETURNS - Top Model's Sheena's GONE

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Excuse us but it's that time of the year again when Simon Cowell and American invades your TV screens (if you choose) for another season beginning in January on the Star World channel. - Hall & Oates sang it best, 'She's Gone' as America's Next Top Model's first Asian decent contestant Sheena Sakai was eliminated after fining in sixth place. - Recommended TV Listings - Part 1 SHEENA'S LAST STAND - Part 3 The Ghetto Hits Celebrity Apprentice

Tuesday December 16, 2008

HOLY (?) COWELL - AMERICAN IDOL RETURNS

Please sit down we're about to announce some shocking news. Excuse us but it's that time of the year again when Simon Cowell and American Idol will invade your TV screens (if you choose) for another season beginning in January on the Star World Channel.

A new twist is there will be a fourth judge and that means given the time restraints Cowell will have to cut down on his long winded comments and Paula Abdul will have to think quicker and get to the point. If these elements of concern aren't applied the show could take an extra half hour to complete.

Since David Cook walked away with last seasons title 17-year-old runner-up David Archuleta has recently released his new self titled album and is making the rounds promoting it as well as finishing up his senior year in high school. His recording deal is with 19 Recordings/Jive Records which is affiliated with American Idol and its creator Simon Fuller is proof evident that though he didn't win they believe in his talent.

SHEENA - SHE'S GONE - Previously on this topic Sheena's' Problems Too Much

Hall & Oates sang it best, 'She's Gone' as America's Next Top Model's first Asian decent contestant Sheena Sakai was eliminated after fining in sixth place. The personality plus Asian lady had some departing words to the Top Model camera's as she packed her bags preparing for her riding into the sunset journey west to her current home in New York City, "This is not the end but just the beginning."

Another strange occurrence happened when the models were split up into teams of two to represent different designer's clothes in different windows. The dye was cast that Sheena was being set up to fail. Of all things the producers assigned her to wear a multi colored punk rock outfit that appeared to be a style the Fool (also from Amsterdam) would have designed in the 60's for their Beatles Apple Shop in London. While the eventual winner Mckey was assigned to wear an elegant high fashion dress.

Sheena was often referred to as hooch by Top Model judges particularly by Jay Alexander aka Miss Jay the overtly gay judge/trainer. During this last episode Miss Jay had far too much too say to the Asian hopeful.

During the model in the window task Alexander said in front of the two designers, he said to them "She looks like she's selling what she wants them to buy (her body), After the task he said to her, "Sheena you were too sexy, you looked like you belonged in that window (inferring being a girl for hire)." Sheena rolled her eyes after his inconsiderate and condescending remark and the designers had themselves a chuckle at her expense.

Throughout the series Sakai has been praised for her bubbly personality. She is the most interesting contestant we have ever observed on a Top Model program from any country (i.e.) Australia and Britain. Scenes later trainer Jay Emanuel asked her after being berated by Miss Jay, "Where's your energy today?" By her reaction you could feel her vibe that she knew she was in trouble as she was being overly scrutinized.

At another photo shoot on a sailboat for a pose Sakai straddled a sail mast and trainer Emanuel commented that she was not portraying herself in a lady like fashion. "Sheena always seems to find the most lewd things to do," he said to the camera as she posed.

In a cutaway scene the producers edited in Sheena saying, "Get that hoochie out the door. It doesn't exist here." This was the tone of the show from the outset and it appeared that Sakai was being set up to fail.

There were more caustic remarks to come before Sheena made her last stand on the show. When Banks and the judges called the models one by one to critique their photos Sheena walked towards them wearing a tight fitting pair of fashionable pants to which Miss Jay with his eyes bugged out exclaimed, "The weird thing about it is, IT WORKS (her sexy pants). To which Tyra had a comment and Sheena asked, "You like it?"

After Tyra Banks gave Sheena the bad news by not calling out her name and that she would have to pack her bags and return to America she said to the Asian lady, "Needs to find a balance being too sexy and too flat (a comment about her expressionless photo) who's not so interested in being totally in control."

She also said to Sheena that she was "Full of personality. Someone you want to be around. You have a shine, a sparkle. I think that you are a star, you have that thing."

Sheena's parting words were that being on the show has changed her life and that she never thought she could have gone as far as she did. "I don't feel like I've lost anything. I feel like it's the beginning and not the end. Because of this my life will never be the same. There will never be another Sheena."

With her departure the show will suffer since the remaining contestants have boring personalities. Mckey who is tall and has a very high fashion look was Sakai's choice to win. "She's sterling," Sakia stated after her departure from the program prior to McKey's winning the title.

For sure Sakai has that certain something that few people possess... exuberant, personable magnetism. She has the personality which is perfect for a TV sitcom providing that she can be herself and not portray another character.

Yes we are Sheena fans and as Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers sang, 'Happy Trails to You (Sheena).'

NOTE:

For those interested in seeing Sakai's last episode it will be repeated this Saturday night December 20 in Southeast Asia. Channel V pulled a switch on the scheduling of the program last week moving it up 15 minutes from an 8 & midnight starts Sunday nights to 7:45 & 11:45 PM.

Please note the schedule below for the time in our area. It would be wise to monitor the channel at the earlier time. There was no announcement if the time change will be in effect for the remainder of the season. The reasons why the channel made the switch was not disclosed. For those of us who are accustomed to a logical and fixed program schedules make note that in Asia they are not professional in this department. The reasons why are located in the GO FIGURE FILE.

Top Model is televised on a delayed basis in Southeast Asia. The show finished being televised in the USA several weeks ago and McKey was the winner. To see what it takes to be America's Next Top Model one can observe what she did to win the title. A positive cooperative attitude blended with talent is the ultimate formula.

Continued Part 3 - Celebrity Apprentice - The Simon Cowell Connection

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES AT OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

SUNDAY

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:00 PM or 7:45 PM - America's Next TOP MODEL with Tyra Banks - Channel V

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

Midnight or 11:45 PM - America's Next TOP MODEL with Tyra Banks - Channel V

MONDAY

12 NOON or 11:45 AM - America's Next TOP MODEL with Tyra Banks - Channel V

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:00 PM or 7:45 PM - America's Next TOP MODEL with Tyra Banks - Channel V

10:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

TUESDAY

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

12 NOON - FRONTLINE - Australia Network

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

10:00 PM - THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE - Star World - New Episode

12:00 PM - THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE - Star World

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

??? - STAR SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK ALL of NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

Fri. 12/19/2008 - 10:30 AM Phoenix @ Portland

Fri. 12/26/2008 - 5:00 AM Boston @ L.A. Lakers

4:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

8:45 pm or 9:00 PM - America's Next TOP MODEL with Tyra Banks - Channel V

SATURDAY

??? - ESPN SPORTS - NBA GAME - CHECK NBA TV SCHEDULE for Southeast Asia

Sat 12/20/2008 - 8:00 AM L.A. Lakers @ Miami

Sat. 12/27/2008 - 8:00 AM Houston @ New Orleans

7:30 AM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

3:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

7:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - (1 1/2 hr) Star World channel

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

11:00 PM - THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Star World channel

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