Mission: Bikini Contest.
- Racism of the Week:
No, not Los' announcement that he's a full
fledge racist, but rather B-M's re-casting of Los as the stereotypical Angry Black Man (previously
mentioned last week) with a chip on his shoulder the size of Mt. Everest. Why does B-M feel the
need to recycle these cliched characters ever season? Why can't we have relationships with black
cast members who're (gasp) peaceful and don't have an ax to grind? Why is it that everyone must
succumb to the standards already set by the trash talk show circuit? However, there are your noted
exceptions: Mohammed, Sharon, Devon, Patrice, Jon, Shawn... But far too often the negatives
outweigh the positives 2 to 1! And it isn't just a black problem... B-M has done its fair share to
denigrate other groups as well: Whether it's Da Brat being an insult to Jews, Clueless being an insult
to Hispanics AND women, or Dave being an insult to VMI, the pendulum swings both ways when it
comes to B-M's universal exploitation; and if you're smart you'll stay as quiet and uninteresting as
possible! Although, in a perfect world, one would find the notion of a individual-or small number of
individuals somehow representing an entire group absurd. But unfortunately, we live in a imperfect
world populated by a few weak-minded individuals who judge an entire group based on the actions
of a few rotten apples. This paraphrase is mainly a shout-out to them.
- Racism of the Week--First Runner Up:
Nice for Clueless to
play-up to the Bob Jones University lot by suggesting via Los that he and the Pigster pair off because
of their "ethnic similarities". Now unless there was some rule in the contest which stated that every
contestant must team-up with their own ethnic or racial group, I'd perceive Clueless' suggestion to
not only be a little racist, but boneheaded as well. Given the volatility in the Piggy/Los relationship, it
would be wise to keep these two as far away from each other as possible!
- Neglected Plot Pawn of the Week:
Despite Dave and Heather B's
attempt to rally for another weekly installment of, "Bash Amaya for Bailing a Mission" Da Brat's
promising subplot mysteriously disappeared by the second act--leading one to speculate that due to
time constraints, the producers opted to go full-steam-ahead on the already dicey Los/Piggy B plot;
figuring it would make for far better "conflict" than the growing-old-Amaya-put-on show! Speaking
of "conflict".....
- Slick Willie of the Week:
After the swimsuit competition Los and
Piggy get into a heated argument over the fact that the Pigster feels Los sabotaged their teams'
chances of winning by his lack of enthusiasm in the whole event. Consequently, Holly (in her words)
stumbles upon Los and Piggy arguing on the sofa(?) (don't go there); next we get word of a
possible assault, then out-of-nowhere some beach bum lookin' director comes crawling out from
behind his little peephole on the bus to grill Piggy on the alleged incident--reminding her that B-M
has a strict policy on domestic violence, gee, ya don't say! But cool as ice, Piggy gives the
beachcomber about as much attention as the dirty laundry laying around her as she pleads the 5th! If
this whole scene proved one thing it's that Piggy definitely took notes during the Gladys incident!
Memo of the week: If you're gonna do your physical assault, you do it off camera, then only
hearsay can prevail! But I sure as heck pity the camera buff who was on duty that night! Suffice to
say someone walked away with a pink slip that week!
- Editing Room Floor Material of the Week:
Given how rarely we see
a birthday on Real Rules (like once in a blue moon), you'd think the powers that be would
devote a little bit more screen time to Piggy's special day than just acouple brief references.
Conspiracy buffs speculate that this was Piggy's punishment for having the nerve to hit a fellow
travelmate off camera.
- Bad Dejavu of the Week:
This seemingly continuous, out-of-control
Holly wailing streak is going too far! Los and Piggy get into the aforementioned argument on the bus,
then Holly takes off and runs into the arms of Yes and Clueless to cry us another river (or tropical
storm given the region). What gives? And I don't mean to sound unsympathetic here, but is
everything too much for little Holly to bear? It's like it rains on her... she cries, she stubs her
toe.. she cries, she spills her drink... she cries, enough already! Between Holly, Da Brat, Clueless,
and to a lesser extant Piggy, there aren't that many female role models on this trip. Though, how
could you honestly call anyone on this trip a "Role model"?
- Whimp of the Week:
So Los shacks-up in a hotel cuz he feels
threaten by the Pigster's alleged assault? What a wuss! At least he didn't threaten to sue her for
every cent she has! But in comparison, Los comes off looking a whole lot worse than Abe when
considering.. 1.) At least Abe's assault was caught on tape; therefore, his "fear for my safety" claim
stood upon a credible foundation; and 2.) Los is even twice the size of Abe; so saying that Piggy
presents some kind of physical threat to him is sort of crying "Wolf!" don't ya think? However, this is
not to say that women aren't capable of malice! Just because a match between a man and a woman
is never a fair fight doesn't mean she can't cheat.