Entertainment: October 2009 Archives

Is anyone seriously shocked that a father would use his kids to finagle his way into a "reality show"? The Hound isn't. This is what happens to people when they get that first taste of 15 minutes of fame. They then want a half hour.

Colorado authorities are weighing felony charges against Ballon Boy's dad, Richard Heene, after he reported to police his 6-year-old son drifted away in a space-alien looking helium balloon made in his back yard. During media interviews, the kid blurted out the stunt was for "the show" which got investigators digging. Now they think the whole thing was a hoax in order to get on a reality show.

After all, the family was on "Wife Swap" not once, but twice! It's enough torture to watch that program, let alone putting your family through it twice. And, let's not overlook former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's attempt to get on Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" show. Blago's wife, Patti, was one of those on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" where "celebrities" were dropped into the jungle and then had to cope.

It was one of the lamest shows and the celebrities didn't even include Kathy Griffin, and she's on the D-List. The Hound was forced to watch "I'm a Celebrity" for news value and had to bail after episode two. Yuck, and to think Patti nearly drowned!

A federal judge appears to be willing to allow Blago to appear with Trump in the program scheduled for March 2010 if he'll agree not to spout his innocence of trying to peddle a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder. Prosecutors say he's trying to taint the jury pool.

What else would a reality "star" be doing now that reality has set in for the former guv?

The Hound has returned from an extended stay in Denmark after the International Olympic Commitee dashed the hopes of Chicago Mayor Daley, talk show maven Oprah Winfrey, President Obama and the twin villages of Old Mill Creek and Wadsworth. If you have never been to Denmark, The Hound recommends it. It's sort of like Wisconsin, but without Packers fans.

Old Mill Creek would have been the site of the equestrian events during the 2016 Summer Games, although Wadsworth would have been the beneficiary of some of the spillover and certainly Gurnee and Waukegan, with their hotel spaces. Instead, they'll be doing dressage and jumping fences in Rio.

The Hound has never been to Rio de Janeiro, but knows someone who once traveled there for Carnivale. On the Ipanema Beach, he was accosted and was the victim of a female pickpocket. Or at least that was his story and he's stuck to it ever since.

The Hound was a full-blown Olympics supporter, and will be boycotting next year's Winter Games in Vancouver. The Hound also is considering boycotting NBC, but why bother? Most viewer already are.

As for the reason Chicago and the United States lost the 2016 bid it is simple: Rio is in South America, a continent which has never hosted an Olympics, and the rest of the world hates us. Despite the rock star status of President Obama, he couldn't close the deal because, outside of our culture and money, the U.S. is disliked by nearly everyone around the world --- except the Saudis. And they did so before George Bush made it worse with the invasion of Iraq.

Will there be a 2020 U.S. Olympic bid? Not from Chicago, The Hound predicts.