Good Morning Vietnam

Mr. Newbill, I believe we have a winner!

Analysis

Ahh, you know it's not exactly every week on this series that I have the privilege of writing a virtual rant-free review... Especially this season with its ok-to-loser streak of odd numbered episodes (Just take a look at last week's offering for an example).

Now I know that I'm the only one in the world who didn't like "Hot Voodoo", and I'm still getting flame for giving "Paint or Pay" such a high rating; but you, at the very least have to give "Good Morning Vietnam" high props for revitalizing the season. Sure, it's not perfect, but I'll take in contrast to the other lukewarm offerings of the season. In fact, I believe it is time for me to break out my annual top 5......

Top 5 reasons this episode gets a 5:

• 5.) As I eluded to above, B-M puts the "adventure" back into Road Rules this week by serving up something we were basically denied the whole season: a thrilling mission; where upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam- accompanied by some of the most stereotypical oriental music, the troopers find out through their tour guide: Toui that they'll be doing some (shudder) "hard work" (something else we were given a rain check on this season) living the life of a Vietnam Villager.

• 4.) To my surprise, Clueless didn't turn into the vacationing valley girl whino that I was expecting given the circumstances. Unfortunately, I can't same for Ayanna whose complaints through out the mission seemed more like stage acting designed to give Ayanna more camera time! In particular, one scene where after coming in last during the bike race Ayanna does a victory dance in the Ho Chi Minh City streets... Ugh, I hate to break it to you my dear, but you came in third place, now go collect your bronzes! Although, I have to admit that I did find myself on the floor after watching Ayanna's hissy fit in the Mekong River; knowing full well that she was never in any danger of drowning for three reasons: 1) The water near the river bank is probably no deeper than 5 feet. 2) The Vietnamese fisherman (or whatever) assisted her all the way back to the canoe- despite her attempts to shoot for the gold in the women's free style event. And 3) Ayanna can swim! How else do you explain the scene in "Bon Voyager" where the gang all had to swim out to the Club Med yuppie on a party boat? Besides, judging from various scenarios in the past, I'd assume there's a clause somewhere in the contract that states: "In order to be on the show, you must know how to swim"

• 3.) Finally, we're shown a different perspective of Shawn's persona other than the honorary guy of casual dialog! Like... what is this guy thinking? Does he ever have an opinion? Does he take time out to explore the opposite sex? Can he butt heads with the others every once in a while? Well at least we got an answer to one of those questions this week when Shawn introduced us to Latoya, a S.A.S student he met in Cuba and immediately took a liking to (so why haven't we seen Latoya before now? For that matter... why haven't we seen these two intermingling before now? This isn't a serious gripe... after all, the powers that be pulled the same stunt on us just last week with the Yes/Robin skit!) As it turns out, Latoya- like Robin is one of those man hunting girls currently taking "How to find a man 105", but who obviously needs "How to keep a man 106" in order to pass since she essentially claims Shawn as her man without even giving Shawn a say so in the matter. But fortunately for Latoya Shawn's no Yes; therefore, she doesn't have to worry about him cooking up some cockymayme- "She's sweatin me" excuse to go hunting for some fresh meat!

• 2.) You gotta give it to B-M. They'll just about do anything short of selling out their own mother for ratings. Even if it includes airing more blood, guts, and gore than seen on Starship Troopers! Color me insensitive, but watching that frog about to get scissored into Toad land did bring a smile to my face for all those frogs I had to dissect in HS- always before lunch which menu usually consisted of: meat loaf, mashed potatoes (with lumps), and a cup of milk (yum). But why are westerners so shocked? The only difference between this and your average supermarket is that all of the dirty work happens hundreds of miles away in fishing communities, and slaughter houses; yet you'd never know it while purchasing those nicely packaged fish sticks, and Franks. Note: They don't call it "Ground Round" for nothing!

• 1.) And the # 1 reason this episode gets a 5: It occurred to me while watching this episode that Marlene may be one of the most two-faced cast members in the history of Real Rules! Here's a girl who two weeks ago basically wanted to hang Alex and his Mahouts for slapping a few lazy elephants into working, yet this week doesn't so much as utter a single word when confronted with the gruesome sight of beheaded chickens and ground catfish. Then she literally vacuums a plate full of snails at the dinner table despite the fact that she claims to be a vegetarian (uh huh). Oh Well Marlene, there goes that free-life time PETA membership!

Anyway, a great show which for the first time this season I'll consider for keeps. And if Road Rules is able to keep this pattern up, then this season may even turn out better than Latin America!

Goofs

• Factual Error: During the final leg of the bike race, Yes informed us that after bending their bike out of shape, Ayanna and Pawel both hitched a ride on a pair of motorcycles; but in actuality there're called "mopeds" (there is a difference)!

• Don't Believe the Hype: Gee, that high quality Vietnamese Chess Set is cool- but it's also a complete cop out! An acquaintance of mine said that you can buy those things at almost any Vietnamese flee market for as little as $20 U.S dollars; so the producers chose the easy way out. C'mon B-M, I'm sure there's something of high quality in Vietnam that the Americans would want... like a P.O.W? But I digress.

Viewer Rating	Results
Q: How do you rate Good Morning Vietnam? (of 56 respondents) 21%   5 - Excellent. 21%   4 - Above Average. 25%   3 - Average. 16%   2 - Below Average. 7%   1 - Far Below Average. 9%   0 - I'd Rather Watch Informercials.

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