Ryan Seacrest brought us Kim Kardashian, then Denise Richards, Khloe and Lamar, and now
Mr. Seacrest has blessed the world with the Shahs of Sunset. The new Bravo TV series will follow yet another elite-and fabulously wealthy, social circle. The twist this time, is that they are PERSIANS! Reality TV has joyously, blown the privacy windows off of African American culture, Italian American Culture, Housewife Culture, and even Southern Culture. Persian culture is largely unknown to most Americans. While SHAHS might immediately strike viewers as shallow and vapid, the Bravo show could be seen as broadening our collective cultural awareness. Ryan Seacrest could be the ultimate cultural ambassador, as the impresario of edu-tainment. However, it's unlikely that such lofty goals are on the minds of Bravo's producers. The SHAH'S OF SUNSET, is yet another opportunity to show, relatively young and hot people living an opulent and outrageously fun lifestyle. They spend money like it doesn't have to be earned. They drink and party like livers are replaceable. And that's what America wants to see. It is an utter escape from the hum-drum, consequence filled lives of most Americans. The show features characters like Golnesa, Dubbed The Persian Princess. She personifies beauty and excess. She's the show's gorgeous spit fire, looking for the love of her Persian Prince. Mike Shouhed is the show's player-with issues. The consummate bad boy, lost his very rich shirt in the Vegas real estate market, but is working to rebuild his Persian empire. Asa Rahmati - the Persian gypsy, is the show's artistic cast member. She breaks the mold of her community and challenges the taboos of her culture by (GASP) DATING OUTSIDE OF HER RACE (seriously, this is still a big deal in some communities?)! Challenging ALL of the traditions of Persian culture, is Reza Farahan-an openly gay real estate mogul, who longs for love-and more money. Mercedes and Sammy wrap up the cast as (yet more) real estate moguls. The show, follows all of their exploits and is likely to be a very entertaining ride.
After her last disastrous foray into matrimony, Halle Berry swore that she would never marry again. Apparently "Never" has arrived as Berry is engaged to French Actor Olivier Martinez! The couple has recently announced the shock of their engagement to the world and news is pouring out over a stunned Hollywood. All of the predictable rumors are swirling about but particular focus is converging on Berry's engagement ring. The world is fascinated by the ring that would be fitting, for (arguably) the world's most beautiful and sought after woman. The ring, sports a four carrot emerald, hacked out of the mines of Columbia. The jewler that designed the one of a kind piece, has suggested that the ring is infused with hidden meaning and secret symbols, unknown to all but the love struck couple. Let's just hope that Halle, has finally found the fairy tale love she deserves!
The GOP WAR is entering the deep south today as the candidates will compete in dueling primaries in Alabama and Mississippi. Today's results will either give new life to the campaigns of Santorum and Gingrich, or they could signal the beginning of the end, for Mitt Romney. If Romney loses today's primaries, it will signal a definitive rejection by the deep southern core of the GOP. Political pundits have long speculated that Romney and his Mormon religion would prove unpalatable to southern voters. Today's contest will test the theory, once and for all. In the competing camps, a mixed record of success and defeat has left the Gingrich and Santorum campaigns at a loss to justify their continued existence in the GOP primary. A chorus of critics are beginning to charge that Santorum and Gingrich are dealing unnecessary blows to the party's presumptive nominee (Romney) as the path to victory for both competitors has transitioned from unlikely, to impossible. Romney is far ahead in the race for delegates, with 458 delegates, compared to Santorum's 203 and Gingrich's 118. The GOP primary has proven to be disastrous for Romney, exposing numerous weaknesses in the candidates profile. A series of flip-flops has created the impression that Romney is a candidate without a core. Romney now strains to justify his new-found opposition of policies that he once proposed. While the White-house has occasionally weighed in suggesting that Romney is less-than principled, the most blistering attacks have come from fellow conservative republicans. They have suggested that he is inauthentic, dishonest, and willing to pander (if not lie) to attain victory. It remains to be seen if the former Massachusetts Governor, will be able to recover from the crippling attacks of his fellow republicans. If the conservative tag team, of Gingrich and Santorum should fail to stop Romney in today's primary the chorus of criticism will become a cacophonous clamor, demanding that both end the bruising primary, before Romney suffers even more damage.
CNN has lifted the suspension of Roland Martin. The embattled pundit became the center of a firestorm when fans noticed a series of homophobic comments on his twitter feed. During the Superbowl, the political analyst responded to a David Beckham underwear commercial. He tweeted that men should "smack the ish" out of any of their male friends that enjoyed the Beckham ad. He made further comments about a football player that arrived at the game wearing pink. GLADD- an organization representing the Gay and Lesbian community, immediately demanded that CNN take action against Martin. Roland Martin suggested that he was making fun of soccer (and presumably it's fans) and not gays. CNN suspended the pundit which prompted Martin to meet with GLAAD and offer profuse statements of regret for perceived offenses.
(Roland Martin is also the host of TV ONE'S Washington Watch- a show discussing politics and the African American Community)
"Anybody But OBAMA" has been the mantra of the republican party. The phrase became the standard response for candidates and GOP voters alike. No matter how vociferously, the GOP candidates attacked each other, they were obligated to add the highly conditional qualifier; "Anybody But Obama"! Whereas, republican voters saw the phrase as a constant reminder of their unifying first priority, the GOP establishment saw it as a blanket permission to place their thumbs on the primary scales and pick the GOP nominee. When they heard the term "ANYBODY" they took it very literally.The result has been a systematic, disregard for the desires of the party's most loyal voters. In previous years this wouldn't have caused many problems in a party designed to cater to the demands of it's established hierarchy. But the rise of the Tea Party has disoriented the traditional dynamics of the republican party. The party's base felt empowered, and resented the pattern of neglect and disrespect. They were no longer willing to accept their traditional role as the faithful but dogged spouses of the party. Their complaints found a sympathetic ear, in Michael Steele who made more than a few modifications to the traditional primary schedule. He tilted the party's, generally stilted contests in favor of the base.
The RNC under the former Party Chairman, lengthened the schedule, and spaced out the contests in an effort to make them more responsive to the Party's loyalists. The changes worked precisely as planned. The base is having it's say, but that's starting to worry many in the GOP. They wanted a very traditional, tidy, and short contest. Instead they have been subjected to numerous debates, intense campaigning and emotionally invested supporters that have become unrelenting in support of their candidates. This is not at all-like, republicans! And if it all backfires on the GOP, Michael Steele will get the blame. Instead of faulting the flawed candidates, or even the hubris of an establishment that took the loyalty of it’s base for granted, Michael Steele will be vilified. The narrative will be that the gaffe prone Chairman, goofed up-again! HE cost US the Presidency! Fingers are already starting to be pointed his way and the frustrated supporters of Mitt Romney are already slamming Steele's reforms. Chris Christie, called Steele's reforms, "the dumbest idea anyone has ever had". The thankless job of party chairman has long since past from Steele's hands but the constant criticism that came with the title has not. Steele was never appreciated for the structural support he initiated that made the success of the Tea Party possible (Electoral sweeps don’t organize themselves) and now he will become the scapegoat for giving the Tea Party it's voice in the GOP primary.
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