Video Beat EXTRA - AMAZING RACE ASIA FINAL - AMY WINEHOUSE REHABS GRAMMYS - February 2008

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Grammy Award Notes - Cambodia's 2008 Freshie Girl & Boy contest is on the air - Amazing Race Asia 2 FINAL - The Contender Asia - Lucia Rijker - American Idol Hollywood Week - NBA & ON TV - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday February 10, 2008

He said it wouldn't be done but he changed his mind. In the world of the 5 W's…who, what, where, when and why the who is Boonkerd Angamnuasiri who said at Phnom Penh's Chaktomuk Theater after the 2007 final show that he was finished producing the Freshie Girls & Boys contest because it took too much energy out of him. It was a shocking moment when it came to mind that this was one of the examples of development of positive growth for Cambodian youth.

The show gave many of the competitors a new lease on life as many came from extreme poverty and the training program taught many about manners, grooming, being considerate of others and hygiene. For Cambodia it's a one of its kind show. It showcases Cambodian Girls and Boys 16-22 years of age to showcase their talent and beauty. Given the countries dark past the program, now in its seventh year, is one of the few shining lights to improve on Cambodia's negative image. To put that into perspective American Idol is also in its seventh season.

The Freshie show is worthy of an International television audience. Language doesn't make a difference when people sing, dance and smile. Entertainment transforms all barriers. It would help the outside world understand that all Cambodians aren't Khmer Rouge like in their thinking and there is hope for the future of Cambodian youth.

The first show is a scheduled to be televised in Cambodia only Tuesday February 12 as a 2 ½ hour event that will be on the air from 4:30 PM to 7 PM in front of a live audience from the TV 5 television studios in Phnom Penh. On the program 21 boys and 21 girls will be introduced. The group will be paired down to 10 girls and 10 boys to compete for the Freshie title.

From that point each week one boy and one girl will be eliminated until seven girls and seven boys remain. Those 14 contestants will appear in the final from which one girl and one boy will be named as the 2008 Freshie Girl and Freshie Boy winners as well as 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each catagory.

FULL STORY

GRAMMY AWARDS HONOR YOUNG & OLD

The 50th Grammy's recognized the young & old recording artists including many of the today's recording stars own long time favorite Tina Turner and the Beatles as well as Amy Winehouse who is representative of the new artists. She won Grammy's for Record of the Year: "Rehab," Amy Winehouse. Song of the Year: "Rehab," Amy Winehouse (Amy Winehouse). Pop Vocal Album: "Back to Black," Amy Winehouse. Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Rehab," Amy Winehouse.

Beatle Ringo Star accepted the Beatles award for Surround Sound: " LOVE ," Paul Hicks, surround mix engineer; Tim Young, surround mastering engineer; George Martin & Giles Martin, surround producers (The Beatles). The Grammy show included Cirque Du Soleil performing Beatles hits from the album. Winehouse did not appear at the Los Angeles Awards show presentation since she recently two weeks in a rehab house. She did appear via video link from London performing and accepting her award for Record of the Year with 'Rehab'.

The Grammy Awards really took a step back in time by honoring Doris Day who is best known for her career as an actress. The awards show pointed out that Day before becoming and actress Day was a vocalist for big bands including the Les Brown and Bob Crosby bands. Actor Joe Mantegna made a jazz award announcement and to some it may seem strange that an actor be on the show. Like Day Mantegna has a musical past as he was in a bar band in Chicago prior to coming to Hollywood and taking up the acting trade. I interviewed Mantegna regarding the subject at a television critic's conference when he was promoting the HBO telefilm Rat Pack.

Every year NARAS chief Neil Portnow announces who passed away during the past year. It's not a happy moment on the show but every year I learn of someone that I know who is now deceased. This year it was Tom Noonan who was one of my instructors when I attended the Sherwood Oaks Music Business College in Hollywood, California. At that time Noonan was an editor of the famed music trade magazine Billboard. Tine Turner's ex-husband Ike Turner also made the list.

Alicia Keys won her 11th Grammy. This year she walked away with the Best R & B song 'No One.' More on the Grammy's coming in this months ENTERTAINMENT BEAT.

AMAZING RACE ASIA

Malaysian moms Ann and Diane were eliminated in the last leg of the Amazing Race. Before they departed Ann the mother of three children said regarding participating on the show, "I am 40. Life won't come to me; I have to go to it."

Their downfall was booking a confirmed connecting flight through London to South Africa that departed two hours earlier than the other three teams but arrived two hours later. The other three teams who chanced a connection through Frankfurt Germany had their connection come through. That leaves three teams remaining from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Malaysian sisters Pam 24, and Vanessa 29, are long shots to win the title. Pam is the comic of the duo. After picking up elephant dung with her hands in a task during the last leg of the race she addressed the camera and asked, "Who wants to marry me now?" Obviously her good looks and wit have gained her some attention from admirers' since she's been on the show.

They are going up against Singaporeans Collin and Adrian who previously won back to back legs despite Adrian having a hearing disability and relies on sign language to communicate with his teammate, Collin.

The Philippines Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez have been consistent winners who a few weeks ago received a 38% vote of confidence from the viewing public on the AXN website that they would win .

The final airs Thursday night on AXN (please see schedule below for times and repeats of the show).

THE CONTENDER ASIA

The Contender Asia is picking up steam after a very slow start. One of the problems is there aren't enough quality fighters on the program. The show bills itself as having 16 of the world's best fighters representing 12 different countries vying for the top prize money of US$250,000. All of the contestants have been ranked among the world's top 10 at some point in their career.

This past week Thai champion Yodsaenklai volunteered to fight to protect his injured Singaporean teammate from having to do so. He took on the other team's captain from Australia and soundly defeated him. This is the first sign of a human interest aspect of the program. Yodsanklai aka 'The Hero' is the current WBC May Thai Junior Middleweight Champion (154lb division) as well as the holder of the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium title in the same weight division.

The other weakness of the show is it lacks commentary from a renown figure from the sport to explain what is going on after each round or the fight. The Contender had former boxing champ Sugar Ray Leonard. The Ultimate Fighter had as coaches and commentators former mixed martial arts champs Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin and Randy Courtrue as well as UFC boss Dana White. This adds pace and product knowledge to the show. For TCA (The Contender Asia) it would fill in some dead spots in the program.

Female boxer and former martial arts champ Lucia Rijker is the perfect fit for the job as she has fight and film experience. Rijker stepped away from boxing in 1999 to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. She co-starred as "Billie 'The Blue Bear'" in 2004's Oscar-winning, female boxer-based film Million Dollar Baby. She was also featured in the documentary film Shadow Boxers. She played a minor role in Rollerball (2002 film) and had a brief cameo in the season 2 finale of the L Word as Dana's trainer. She returned to the L word in Season 5 as Dusty, Helena's cellmate in prison.

Rijker, born and raised in Amsterdam - Holland, is a 4 time former World Champion as a Kickboxer, and a 2 time former World Champion as a Boxer. She is undefeated in 54 fights, with 39 KO's and is currently ranked #1. She has trained with other World Champions such as: Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitchco to name a few.

Lucia has been in the ring professionally for over 23 years. She was nominated for the toughest athlete of America by USA, together with Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods. She is thought to be the world's most dangerous female fighter on a pound-for-pound basis. She has been referred to as "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World," and "Queen of Lightning".

Rijker began kickboxing at age 15, studying in the gym of Johan Vas, one of the most respected training facilities in Holland and training primarily with male kickboxing, boxing and judo champions. She burst into prominence in the kickboxing world in her sixth match on January 15, 1984 ... disabling veteran American champion Lilly Rodriguez (sister of then world champion kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez) just 30 seconds into a scheduled five-round fight with powerful kicks to the legs.

Rijker gained an international reputation as a kickboxer, fighting in Europe and Japan. She defeated then-world titleholder Cheryl Wheeler of the USA by decision in Amsterdam on October 6 1985 (and is considered responsible for helping to persuade Cheryl to retire, by breaking her nose in that fight!) She also defeated French champion Nancy Joseph in three rounds, Master Toddy's British star Ann Holmes in 30 seconds in Amsterdam on April 26, 1986, and the skilled French kickboxer Daniëlle Rocard in just 15 seconds in Arnhem on February 14, 1988. She amassed a 36-0 (25 KO) record as a kickboxer, and won four different world titles. Her only defeat in a kickboxing ring was in a Muay Thai style exhibition match at Sporthalle Zuid in Amsterdam in October 1994, when Lucia fought male Thai boxer Somchai Jaidee, who knocked her out in the second round.

AMERICAN IDOL HOLLYWOOD WEEK

This is Hollywood week for American Idol where everything can go wrong. In previous years the contestants learn at this stage how rude the music business can be as they are not pampered and they witness a lack of patience blended with tempers flaring up from Simon Cowell towards the auditioners and Paula. This is a reality.

Last season to accommodate the lack of time contestants who made it to this stage were assigned to groups to sing in harmony. Many were eliminated on this basis.

Two years ago twin brothers from Georgia were discovered on the show not by a record company but by law enforcement that had a warrant for the arrest of one of the brothers. At that time when they were informed that they would have to join a group one of the brothers said, "I don't do groups." They were eliminated. Though the brother didn't do groups there was no word if one brother did jail time.

NBA GAMES ON TV

NBA (National Basketball Association) games are televised in the Southeast Asia region on the Star Sports television Network on Friday and ESPN Saturday's. Start times vary depending on the start time in the region of the USA from where the games is televised. NFL (National Football League) from the USA is televised on a delayed basis Saturday at 12:30 PM and Sunday at 6 PM on the CNBC channel

BOXING

The ULTIMATE FIGHTER SEASON 2 is currently being televises Monday through Friday on AXN at 9 AM Thailand/Cambodia time and 10 AM in the Singapore/Hong Kong time zone.

TV SCHEDULE

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

MONDAY

9:00 AM - ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 2 - AXN

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

8:00 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

12 MIDNIGHT - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

TUESDAY

9:00 AM - ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 2 - AXN

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

700 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

WEDNESDAY

9:00 AM - ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 2 - AXN

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

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

8:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN - NEW EPISODE

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

11:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN - repeat of 8 PM telecast

THURSDAY

9:00 AM - ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 2 - AXN

11:00 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of previous day

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

8:00 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN - NEW EPISODE - THE FINAL

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

FRIDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - Star Sports

9:00 AM - ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 2 - AXN

11:00 AM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of previous day

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

9:00 PM - NBA GAME - Star Sports - Replay of earlier game)

SATURDAY

7:30 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

12:30 PM NFL (National Football League) game from the USA (delayed) - CNBC

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

5:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

7:30 PM - HI NET WORTH - (financial magazine show) - CNBC

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

10:00 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

12:00 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

SUNDAY

10:00 AM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

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

6:00 PM - NFL (National Football League) game from the USA (delayed) - CNBC

6:00 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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