'Idol' winner eats well at home - Weight of 360 lbs due to mom's cooking (How to Eat the Ruben Way)

Scripps Howard News Service ^ | May 25, 2003 | Leigh Anne Monitor

[Timesink]

"On the Ruben Studdard Diet, I have more energy than ever before in my life! I feel like i'm 19 again!"
--Simon Cowell

[Timesink]

Special non-NYT all-lard edition of The Ping!

Schadenfreude

This is the New York Times Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.

[AntiGuv]

This must be the yummiest thread I've ever seen on FR.. ;)

[Timesink]

ping for bump list

[Clemenza]

I can't believe you guys watch these Sheep Shows.

I am proud of the fact that I have NEVER watched an episode of American Idol, Survivor, Joe Millionaire or The Batchelor.

For what its worth, the only shows currently on the air that I enjoy are The Sopranos, South Park, The Man Show and Law & Order

[Timesink]

I can't believe people that think they're superior for not watching "sheep shows" because "they're scripted" adn then brag that they only watch a certain few programs ... that are all scripted.

[Clemenza]

When I was a kid, we had "Star Search" (revived, with Arsenio) "Dance Fever" (Danny Terrio can NEVER be replaced) and "Puttin' On the Hits" which were talent shows syndicated nationwide. Why are people so excited about this concept now? The older shows and not "American Idol" are no more interesting than your typical Church talent show. Then again, I really can't fault the American people for enjoying such sh-t, as "reality shows" are probably still a step above the "Sh-tcoms" that have recycled the same plots since the 1950s.

[Drammach]

I have NEVER watched an episode of American Idol, Survivor, Joe Millionaire or The Batchelor..... The Sopranos, South Park, The Man Show and Law & Order..

I watch South Park, and the Man show, have seen a couple episodes of Law & Order. ( Just another cop/lawyer show, nothing special.) I too, have never watched American Idol, Survivor, Joe Millionare, the Bachelor, Bachelorette, etc.. or the Sopranos, Six feet under, You name it..

I'm pretty much a news show junkie, (FOX, CNBC) when I want entertainment I watch Junkyard Wars, Rough Science, the Discovery Channels, History Channel, TechTV, etc..

As far as Reuben and Cain, or Cale, or whatever his name was, I figured Reuben would win from what I saw/heard on the news shows.
Not that it really matters a lot, at least the top 3 or 5 will probably get some sort of recording deal anyway, and have a lot more freedom in managing their own careers than Reuben does.

All those other shows, the old ones? I think "Star Search" is the only one I ever bothered to check out. I may have seen a half-dozen of them..

What I really liked as far as talent shows went was "The Gong Show"..
Oh, the humanity..

[SamAdams76]

Remember the "Gong Show?" Now that's when talent was talent!

[martin_fierro]

Mmmmmmmmmm, LARD

[fieldmarshaldj]

Try watching "The Man Show" with women present, that's a REAL treat (especially when the bikini-clad babes start jumping on trampolines). My g/f gets so pissed, she storms out of the room... Sheesh. :-P

[dennisw]

Anyone who loves greens is OK in my book. But his mom needs to omit some of the lard and fatback.

[Fzob]

Ok I gotta ask

I have NEVER watched an episode of American Idol, Survivor, Joe Millionaire or The Batchelor.

the only shows currently on the air that I enjoy are The Sopranos, South Park, The Man Show and Law & Order

Please explain how American Idol, Survivor, Joe Millionaire or The Bachelor are sheep shows and The Sopranos, South Park, The Man Show and Law & Order are not.

To me they're all sheep shows.

Just for full disclosure, What I have watched

American Idol; Nope

Survivor; I watched about half of the last series

Joe Millionaire; Nope

The Bachelor; Nope

The Sopranos; Nope

South Park; Nope

The Man Show; Nope

Law & Order; About half of one show

I don't give a hoot what people watch, but I'm curious how one defines the line between sheep shows and shows Ok to watch for the diligently autonomous.

[NYCVirago]

Wow, thanks for sharing. It's good to know that reality shows are "sheep shows", while brainiacs like you watch such quality entertainment as South Park and The Man Show.

[ewing]

Simon looks impressed..

[Mister Magoo]

All good ones. I would also add Curb Your Enthusiasm, which for my money, is the funniest show on television, even funnier than Seinfeld.

[Salvation]

Methink mom needs to change his diet!

[Katya]

I don't know about the rest of those shows, but Idol is a contemporary version of the old variety show. The kids sing song hits from the 60's 70's and 80's, and listen to comments from amusing judges.
I'm radio person and don't follow much tv but have to say, it's nice to be able to watch one show with a 9 year old and not have to cover their ears.

[marajade]

Well I can say I've never watched any of the shows you mentioned in your post... either those you do or don't watch...

The only show we watch with regularity is the "Dead Zone."