Video Beat - BIG BRO DISASTER FINALLY OVER... UGH….. - January 2008

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Maria Arcega-Dunn, who joins the Q13 FOX news team - Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 program became a disaster shortly after it began that was tainted with over production, intimidation and a lack of integrity. This was a classic example of a double standard of do as I say and not as I do - NBA & NFL GAMES ON TV - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday January 6, 2008

New Anchor Joins Q13 Fox News

A new face has joined Q13 FOX News as morning anchor. Maria Arcega-Dunn, who joins the Q13 FOX news team from San Diego, CA, is anchoring the Q13 FOX News in its This Morning broadcast from 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. weekdays.

Maria Arcega-Dunn spent the last six years as an anchor/reporter at XETV-TV (FOX6), the FOX affiliate in San Diego. Born and raised in Canada, Arcega-Dunn was the first female Asian reporter and anchor for CISA news, Canada’s Global News Network, in Alberta, Canada. She has also worked as an anchor and correspondent for CNN International, based at the Asia Bureau in Hong Kong and then Manila.

"Maria’s international experience, diverse background and commitment to journalism will be great for our viewers and the community,” said Q13 FOX News Director Steve Kraycik.

(Business Wire

BIG BRO DISASTER FINALLY OVER UGH…..

We have never seen a program fall from grace so rapidly as ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 program. It became a disaster shortly after it began that was tainted with over production, intimidation and a lack of integrity. This was a classic example of a double standard of do as I say and not as I do.

After having four previous Big Brother shows do well the format was changed in this edition when the voice of Big Brother became the central character of the show and the contestants were reduced to merely being pawns in what appeared to be a test of will and strength. Big Brother's voice constantly dominated the show with his instructions, tasks and punishments. It was as if he were dealing with two year olds and not dealing with adults and giving them respect.

From the beginning obeying the rules was emphasized. One of those rules was contestants should not have contact with the outside world. With Big Bro's blessing one Gaby Merced was permitted to go to the outside world and compete in an auto race which she won. Shortly after her return she voluntarily quit the show to go to America for a driving seminar.

During her absence two other housemates voluntarily quit with one citing "I've had enough of this $#!t." The unstable environment of the show glowed like a neon light on a dark night and dark it was for the program that became tedious and tenuous for this viewer. At one point the show was dominated by male contestant's ad it seemed like a YMCA.

When Gaby returned from the US she was met at the airport by Big Bro staff and asked to return to the then shabby show. "I was kidnapped," she said. She returned and the show picked up a bit but there appeared to be an underlying resentment as to her being permitted to visit the outside world and return. The subject was brought up several times when the housemates voted for nominations for eviction.

Two other female housemates that left the house also returned on a houseguest basis meaning they were not eligible to win the cash and prizes. Several times Gaby mentioned that she was concerned about being resented at being in the outside world and permitted to return. She made it to the final five.

At that point they bonded together but were subject to having to nominate one for eviction in front of each other in the LIVING ROOM and not in private in the confession room as they had in the past.

All did not want to nominate anyone when Jon said, "Is everyone thinking what I'm thinking? Five medallions are here. And we're five here." Big Bro took exception to the tact and their bonding and gave them the silent treatment. It was implied that he saw that this was a sign of disrespect.

This was a week after another contestant got drunk on Christmas day and behaved poorly to the other housemates and Big Bro. He said he and the housemates hated Big Bro and that Big Bro had his whore in the house. He cursed at Big Bro. That contestant became a forced eviction causality.

With that experience behind him Big Bro appeared to be overly sensitive and was again put on the spot with the housemates selecting one medallion for each of the remaining five contestants and requested that there be a big five. Big Bro warned Jon that he violated a serious decree which prohibits any housemate to influence or sway their voting decisions during nominations.

When Jon being the Head of Household which required him to select who would be nominated for eviction he then nominated Gaby since she had been in the outside world. As noted on their website Big Bro Host Toni Gonzaga noted, Big Brother would still make Jon pay the price of his violation. As for the consequence, Kuya (Big Bro) consulted with Endemol for the proper action (to) be bestowed on Jon. The result being Jon was forcefully evicted.

He was never in the outside world and was almost as clean and snow when it came to obeying the rules. Gaby appears to be the Big Bro pampered princess since she was given so many liberties and the others NONE. She was permitted to do what she wanted. If the network is behind (supporting) her then they could be fair to the other contestants by simply sponsoring her auto racing ambitions with her car sporting an ABS-CBN logo. The double standard created dissension. Big Bro's position appeared to be DO AS I SAY AND NOT AS I DO. He broke the rules by permitting three people to return to the outside world and then return to the show.

More flagrant violations of integrity were when one of the contestants mother passed away. After taking care of her mothers remains she wanted to return to the show but was denied with the reason given that it was too near to the end of the series.

Big Bro shows in the past were entertaining with the contestants permitted to be themselves and were the central characters. This series was dominated by Big Bro's voice barking out instructions in what came off as an overdose of megalomania. It was as if he perceives himself as GOD speaking from heaven.

This show was a mix of the TEN COMMANDMENTS and Auschwitz. The surviving contestants deserve the Purple Heart for what they endured in a show that started last October 14. The show was more about control and manipulation than about honesty and entertainment. Obey the rules…. Oh please!!!! RESPECT BEGETS RESPECT.

Big Bro speaks with a forked tongue. Obviously the memos weren't passed around in the Big Bro production office that IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT and the principal business ingredient KISS - KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. This show was a disaster and hopefully the Big Bro production staff can learn from their mistakes.

The voting results were comedian Ruben Gonzaga deservedly so won by receiving 506,402 votes (32.17 percent). His first prize includes a Sony Bravia, a Goodah business franchise worth P2,000,000, a condominium unit from Chateau Valenzuela and P2,000,000 cash from Jack and Jill snacks and ABS-CBN. His chosen charity will receive a million peosos from Globe Asiatic.

Ruben Gonzaga's, 25 background as noted on the Big Brother website:

Although relatively unknown in Manila, Ruben is quite a celebrity in Davao. Working for ABS-CBN Davao, Ruben is popularly known as a member of the channel’s Joke Squad. He is also a stand-up comic in various bars with his trademark screaming faggot act. He’s become so good at it that everyone who sees him perform assumes he is gay. But this comedian is actually a ladies man and is already married with 2 kids.

Ruben is most famous in the South for “Budots”, naming his crazy dance steps after the slang term for bum in Davao. But despite the fame, Ruben is struggling to keep his head above the water. Right now, he is earning enough to get by and doesn’t want his family to experience the impoverished life he had before. Ruben is working hard to help his parents and finally buy his dream house.

Second place Riza Santos registered 430,135 or 27.33% of the total text Pinoy Big Brother votes and won P1,000,000 from Jack and Jill snacks and ABS-CBN and her chosen charity P500,000 from Pinoy Big Brother Globe Asiatique.

Riza Raquel Santos (born August 30, 1986) is a Filipino-Canadian beauty queen and soldier. She mentioned that her military career is influenced by her grandparents. She competed under the Canadian flag in the Miss Earth 2006 pageant. Her charity is Bantay Bata, ABS-CBN Foundation's charitable institution.

Gaby de la Merced finished third with 406,892 or 25.5% of the votes entitling her to P600,000 in prize money from Jack and Jill snacks and ABS-CBN. Her chosen charity will be given P300,000 from Globe Asiatique. Host Toni Gonzaga mentioned that Gaby’s prizes will have a deduction because of her two week stay outside the house.

Gabrielle Chanel "Gaby" Baltao dela Merced (born June 10, 1982) is a female Formula Three driver. She is an extreme sports nut who has also appeared in the local FHM. She mentioned that even though she came from a broken family, she doesn't show any signs of it, because she believes "life exists to make people happy." After her initial exit on Day 28, she returned to the house on Day 44 after the PBB staff surprised her at the airport during her arrival from US and asked her if she wants to come back to the PBB house, which she agreed. Her charity is the I Can Serve Foundation.

Will Devaughn finished in fourth place 230,509 votes or 14.65% and there was a bonus. He won P400,000 from Jack and Jill snacks and ABS-CBN while his chosen charity will be receiving P200,000 from Globe Asiatique. Will is referred to as the hunk model and his modeling career will get a boost as he was chosen to represent JAG Jeans as their newest celebrity endorser.

His full name is William "Will" Devaughn Stumpf (born: February 27, 1982) is a recognized commercial model. He has notably appeared in several commercials shown in the Philippines. He is profiled as a "German with Filipino blood" whose Filipino-American biological father left him with his German mother. His chosen charity is the Brave Kids Foundation.

NOTES:

Ruben is the first male to win a Pinoy Big Brother show. Previous winners of the reality TV show were Nene Tamayo (the first Pinoy Big Brother show) , Keanna Reeves (Celebrity Edition) , Kim Chiu (Teen Edition) and Beatriz Saw (Big Brother 2).

The show started on October 14, 2007 and ended twelve weeks later on January 5, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. It was supposed to finish on December 22, 2007, but was extended for two more weeks.

In the audience at the final show there were glossy posters with Gaby's photo written in ENGLISH being waived at the cameras. Glossy photo posters cost money. It raises the question who paid for that?

Had Gaby been eliminated there would have been a final four of three males and one female.

Please note… this is not an attack on Gaby. As we know it she was not responsible for being given favorable treatment. This is intended to be a reality check on the uprightness of the Big Bro show.

AMERICAN IDOL RETURNS

You can grit your teeth you can do whatever you want but get ready as American Idol with AI judge Simon Cowell and his sidekicks Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson return to the air for the 2008 season beginning January 16th on the Star World channel. The Contender Asia will also debut January 16th on AXN. It is billed as a Muay Thai/martial arts show with no rules.

CAMBODIA'S FRESHIE BOY & GIRL SHOW RETURNS

Cambodia's Freshie Boy & Girl show will return for the 2008 season when the shows producer Boonkerd Angamnuasiri changed his mind after saying at the end of last years 2007 final "James you have just seen the last Freshie show, I am tired."

That was the bad news. The good news is he changed his mind and THE SHOW WILL GO ON with some changes. The 2008 show will be televised on Cambodia's TV 5 after being carried on rival TV 3 since its inception. There will be a new co-host since Vanda Meas became a Mrs. and moved to Australia. Angamnuasiri has yet to make a decision who will host this season's program.

AMAZING RACE

The US version of the Amazing Race continues to hold interest. The most interesting team is the Asian father and daughter. The father has toned down his domineering verbal assaults towards his daughter and is now giving her more respect by talking to her in a more civilized manner. Through it all the daughter deals with it and continues to support her father while occasionally pointing out to him to be more considerate when speaking to her and respect her opinions.

Another interesting team is the grandfather and grandson. The grandson continues to dump the tough more challenging tasks on his 69-year-old grandfather who rises to the challenge. The grandson seems to be afraid to get his hands dirty. Thanks to the elderly part of the team they remain in the race.

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 CONTENDER series 2 is currently being televised 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.

TFC = The Filipino Channel on the ABS-CBN Network

MONDAY

9:00 AM - The CONTENDER - AXN

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

8:00 PM - AMAZING RACE USA - AXN

12:00 PM - AMAZING RACE USA - AXN

TUESDAY

9:00 AM - THE CONTENDER - AXN

11:15 AM - ASAP - TFC (The Filipino Channel) - Please note that this and ALL TFC SHOWS ARE SUBJECT TO TIME SHIFTS.

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

700 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

WEDNESDAY

9:00 AM - THE CONTENDER - AXN

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

THURSDAY

9:00 AM - THE CONTENDER - AXN

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

7:00 - PAULA ABDUL REALITY SHOW - Star World

FRIDAY

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

9:00 AM - THE CONTENDER - AXN

11:00 AM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

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

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

SATURDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

9:00 AM - AMAZING RACE USA - AXN

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

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

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE (USA) - AXN

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

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

10:00 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

SUNDAY

10:00 AM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

12:00 PM - ASAP - TFC (The Filipino Channel) - Please note that this and ALL TFC SHOWS ARE SUBJECT TO TIME SHIFTS

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

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

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE ASIA - AXN

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com All rights reserved.