Oklahoman looking good on ‘The Biggest Loser’
Daris George looked good on Tuesday’s episode of “The Biggest Loser” (May 4 on NBC). He got a shave and a haircut for makeover week.
The 25-year-old from Ardmore, Okla., also did good to stay on Jacob’s Ladder for 2-and-a-half hours during the week’s challenge. Two of the remaining six contestants stopped climbing after a few minutes. And two more fell off before the 1-hour mark.
But trainer Bob Harper was still upset with Daris. That’s because Daris admitted that he gave up and gave the reward — a 1-pound advantage — to Koli.
It all worked out, though. And Daris got quite a work-out from Bob.
“Telling Bob that I gave up on the challenge and him pushing me harder than he ever has before gave me more inner strength and more confidence in what I can do,” said Daris, who dropped nine pounds and weighed in at 205.
Sixteen weeks ago, he weighed 346 pounds. Two episodes remain before the live finale May 25 on NBC.
“I am finishing this, and I can win this,” Daris said. “And you’re going to see me on that podium at the finale. I’m going to do everything I can to be No. 1.”
–Penny TV
Week-by-Week for Daris George
••Week 1 — dropped 29 pounds (went from 346 to 317)
••Week 2 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 317 to 310)
••Week 3 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 310 to 301)
••Week 4 — dropped 6 pounds (went from 301 to 295)
••Week 5 — dropped 12 pounds (went from 295 to 283)
••Week 6 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 283 to 274)
••Week 7 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 274 to 267)
••Week 8 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 267 to 258)
••Week 9 — dropped 10 pounds (went from 258 to 248)
••Week 10 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 248 to 244)
••Week 11 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 244 to 237)
••Week 12 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 237 to 233)
••Week 13 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 233 to 226)
••Week 14 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 226 to 219)
••Week 15 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 219 to 214)
••Week 16 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 214 to 205)
Week-by-Week for Cheryl George
••Week 1 — dropped 14 pounds (went from 227 to 213)
••Week 2 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 213 to 210)
••Week 3 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 210 to 203)
••Week 4 — dropped 6 pounds (went from 203 to 197)
••Week 5 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 197 to 194)
••Week 6 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 194 to 191)
••Week 7 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 191 to 187)
••Week 8 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 187 to 182)
••Week 11 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 182 to 176)
••Three months after being sent home — dropped 18 pounds (went from 182 to 164)
Pictured above: THE BIGGEST LOSER — Episode 916 — Daris George — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC
“The Amazing Race” Season 16 finale May 9 on CBS (2010 TV Alert)
“THE AMAZING RACE”
Season 16 Finale: Sunday, May 9, at 7 p.m. (CST, for EST, add one hour) on CBS
Network Info: The remaining three teams race from Shanghai (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) to the finish line in San Francisco. In contention for the $1 million grand prize are cowboy brothers Jet and Cord McCoy from Tupelo, Okla.; dating models Caite Upton and Brent Horne from South Carolina; and brothers Dan and Jordan Pious from Rhode Island.
TV Blog Input: Oh, my gravy! Rodeo champions Jet and Cord could add “Amazing Race” belt buckles to their collection.
Top Photo: THE AMAZING RACE 16–Eleven Teams Hit the Road for a 40,000-Mile Sprint around the Globe and Find Themselves in the Midst of a World War I Re-enactment, Retracing the Early Days of The Beatles and Come Face-to-Face with One of the World’s Most Infamous Villains on THE AMAZING RACE 16, premiering Sunday, Feb. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Top Row, From Left: Emmy Award nominee Phil Keoghan, Carol and Brandy, Dan and Jordan; Second Row, From Left: Allison and Steve, Caite and Brent, Dana and Adrian; Third Row, From Left: Jet and Cord, Joe and Heidi, Jordan and Jeff; Bottom Row, From Left: Louis and Michael, Jody and Shannon, Shawne and Monique Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS
Bottom Photo: “They Don’t Even Understand Their Own Language” (Shanghai)– Cowboy brothers Jet (left) and Cord read about the Road Block at the Longhua Temple in which one team member must correctly count the golden statues, on THE AMAZING RACE 16 Sunday, May 2, on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS
Oklahoma cowboys in ‘The Amazing Race” finale
Brothers Jet and Cord McCoy from Tupelo are in second place heading into the Season 16 finale of “The Amazing Race” (7 p.m. Sunday, May 9, on CBS).
They finished just seconds behind the first-place team of Brent and Caite (dating models from South Carolina) on Sunday’s episode (May 2).
And they are one of just three teams still in the running for the $1 million prize. The first team to reach the final pitstop in San Francisco wins.
“I feel like we have a great shot at winning $1 million,” Cord said during the next-to-last leg of the race.
“Do we get buckles?” asked Jet, 30, who is a four-time International Professional Rodeo Association champion.
“I hope so,” said Cord, 29, who is a five-time International Professional Rodeo Association champion. “If not, I’m getting one made. I’m not kidding.”
The title of the Season 16′s final episode, which is taken from a quote made by one of the racers, is “”Huger than Huge.”
Sounds like something Jet or Cord McCoy might’ve said, doesn’t it? To find out, tune in to CBS at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 9.
–Penny TV
Pictured above: “I Feel Like I’m In, Like, Sicily” (Shanghai) — Cowboy brothers Jet (left) and Cord (right) perform an active route marker in which they must search racks of clothing to the “look” illustrated in their chosen designer’s sketch in order to receive their next clue, on THE AMAZING RACE 16 Sunday, April 25, on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” features Oklahoma foundation, Oklahoma family
Oklahoma is in the spotlight
on the next two episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m. Sundays on ABC).
On Sunday, May 2, The Limbs for Life Foundation of Oklahoma City will be featured. The episode will include footage from Limbs for Life’s recent trip to Haiti to deliver prosthetic limbs to amputees affected by January’s earthquake.
Craig Gavras, the foundation’s executive director, made the trip last month with the show’s producers. They delivered limbs donated by a Texas family and fit two young girls for prosthetic limbs at L’Hôpital de la Communauté Haïtienne (Haitian Community Hospital).
On Sunday, May 9, the Starkweather family’s new home in Tulsa will be revealed on television.
The “Extreme Makeover” team traveled to Tulsa on Jan. 28 to meet Toen and Amy Starkweather, whose son, Ethan, suffers from a rare disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome that causes weak muscle tone and constant hunger.
Seven days later, team leader Ty Pennington, the design team and celebrity volunteers Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow presented the family with a safe and healthy home.
Hundreds of Tulsa-area volunteers also aided in building the home that will allow the Starkweather family to manage Ethan’s disease and continue to help others battling with life-threatening illnesses.
In March, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” aired the episode taped Feb. 1-7 in Slaughterville, Okla. The Skaggs family — Brian and Audra and their children Merit and Jhett — were the recipients of a 2,800-square-foot modern ranch house.
–Penny TV
Pictured above: EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION – “Skaggs family” — On February 1, 2010, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” traveled to Slaughterville, OK to meet Brian and Audra Skaggs, whose son, Jhett, survived a heart transplant at just 10 months of age. Although he’s made incredible progress over the past two years, the poor condition of the family’s moldy, rotting, termite-ridden home poses serious risks to Jhett’s weakened immune system. In only seven days, team leader Ty Pennington, the design team, plus celebrity guest designer Jillian Harris of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” will help build a safe and healthy home. (ABC/RUSSELL COOK) JHETT SKAGGS, BRIAN SKAGGS, MERIT SKAGGS, AUDRA SKAGGS
Oklahoman posts personal best on “The Biggest Loser”
On Tuesday’s episode of “The Biggest Loser” (April 27 on NBC), Daris George from Ardmore, Okla., set a personal-best time of 21:04 to win a 5K run at the Cotton Bowl in Texas.
On the next episode of “The Biggest Loser” (May 4), Daris will get a $1,000 shopping spree along with the other five remaining contestants.
But will he get a shave and a haircut?
He just might, because it will be makeover week on the show. Celebrity hair stylist Jonathan Antin (“Blow Out”) will make an appearance. And the Top 6 finalists and their guests will be treated to a concert by recording artist Ashanti.
–Penny TV
Week-by-Week for Daris George
••Week 1 — dropped 29 pounds (went from 346 to 317)
••Week 2 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 317 to 310)
••Week 3 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 310 to 301)
••Week 4 — dropped 6 pounds (went from 301 to 295)
••Week 5 — dropped 12 pounds (went from 295 to 283)
••Week 6 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 283 to 274)
••Week 7 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 274 to 267)
••Week 8 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 267 to 258)
••Week 9 — dropped 10 pounds (went from 258 to 248)
••Week 10 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 248 to 244)
••Week 11 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 244 to 237)
••Week 12 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 237 to 233)
••Week 13 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 233 to 226)
••Week 14 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 226 to 219)
••Week 15 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 219 to 214)
Week-by-Week for Cheryl George
••Week 1 — dropped 14 pounds (went from 227 to 213)
••Week 2 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 213 to 210)
••Week 3 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 210 to 203)
••Week 4 — dropped 6 pounds (went from 203 to 197)
••Week 5 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 197 to 194)
••Week 6 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 194 to 191)
••Week 7 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 191 to 187)
••Week 8 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 187 to 182)
••Week 11 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 182 to 176)
••Three months after being sent home — dropped 18 pounds (went from 182 to 164)
Pictured above: Daris, right, and O’Neal on the April 27 episode of “The Biggest Loser” (NBC Photo)
Oklahoma cowboys back in first on ‘The Amazing Race’
Oklahoma cowboys
Jet and Cord McCoy uncovered some hidden talents on Sunday’s episode of “The Amazing Race” (April 25 on CBS).
But they still prefer their rodeo ways to making noodles and outfitting a fashion model.
“This ain’t like ropin’,” Jet said during the noodle-making roadblock challenge. But he managed to finish first, and the brothers from Tupelo headed to the next task in Shanghai’s fashion district.
While trying to match clothing and accessories to a model’s sketch, Jet asked his brother if it was easier to ride bulls or hunt for clothes.
“Bull riding is starting to look way easier,” Cord said.
Still, they finished the task first, completed the puzzle-making roadblock challenge first and reached the Leg 10 pitstop in first place. (They started the leg in third place, by the way).
“Finishing first for the fourth time is awesome,” Cord said. “We’ve won three trips around the world, and me and Jet both say we ain’t going with each other. We’re going with somebody else.”
The McCoys won a pair of sailboats for winning Leg 2 of the race. They were awarded trips for two for coming in first on Leg 3 (Patagonia), Leg 8 (Hawaii) and Leg 10 (Alaska).
They are also one of four teams still in the running for the $1 million prize. The Season 16 finale scheduled for May 9.
Next up on “The Amazing Race” are stops in Shanghai (Leg 11) and San Francisco (Leg 12).
The title of the next episode, which is taken from a quote made by one of the racers, is “They Don’t Even Understand Their Own Language.”
Sounds like something Jet or Cord McCoy might’ve said, doesn’t it? To find out, tune in to CBS at 7 p.m. Sunday.
–Penny TV
Pictured above: “Dumb Did Us In” (Singapore) — Cowboy brothers Cord (left) and Jet complete Detour A in which they must learn and perform a drum routine from the traditional Lion Dance in order to receive their next clue, on THE AMAZING RACE 16 Sunday, April 11, on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS
Meet Megan Mullally — raised in Oklahoma, starring in ‘Party Down’
Although she was born in Los Angeles, Megan Mullally’s parents moved the family back to Oklahoma on her sixth birthday.
Her mom, Martha Mullally, grew up in Tulsa and still lives in Oklahoma City. Megan is planning to return home for a week-long visit at the end of April.
Her dad, Carter Mullally Jr., grew up in Oklahoma City and was a contract player for Paramount Studios in the 1950s. He and his daughter starred in the 1989 film “Oklahoma Passage.”
“I wish my dad and I had scenes together, but we didn’t,” Mullally said. “But I will never quite forget pretending to give birth in that covered wagon. That was one for the books.”
“Oklahoma Passage,” a miniseries that dramatized 150 years of Oklahoma history, was Mullally’s 10th project as an actress. Her resume now includes appearances on Broadway, on the big screen and on daytime, primetime and cable television.
Mullally is also currently in development on “Karen: The Musical,” which is based on her character from “Will & Grace.”
–Penny TV
Story that ran April 22 in The Oklahoman
Megan Mullally is prepared to ‘Party Down’ in new role
click here for audio clip from Megan
By Penny Soldan, TV Editor
Megan Mullally caught the acting bug while performing with the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Ballet.
The Metropolitan Ballet is now known as Ballet Oklahoma. And Mullally is best known for her two-time Emmy and four-time SAG Award-winning role as Karen Walker on “Will & Grace.”
“I was in the ballet company for five years, from the eighth grade until my senior year,” said Mullally, who lived in Oklahoma from age 6 until she graduated from Casady High School in 1977.
“The only leads I would get were the story ballets where you had to act a little bit. And I was like, ‘Ooh, I like this acting part.’ The toe shoes maybe I could leave behind, but the acting part was fun.”
Mullally, who won her Emmys for the second and final seasons of “Will & Grace,” returns to primetime television as a new cast member on “Party Down.” The show that follows a group of Los Angeles cater-waiters yearning for a shot at stardom begins its second season at 9 p.m. Friday on Starz (channel 350 on Dish Network, 390 on Cox Digital Cable, 527 on DirecTV and 902 on U-verse).
Jane Lynch starred in the show’s first season, but she left to do Fox show “Glee.” And Mullally, 51, was pleased when the show’s producers offered her a part.
“My husband and I had watched Season 1 and got obsessed with it,” she said. “They wrote a different role for me, but I’m still fulfilling that same function that Jane had vacated.”
Mullally plays Lydia Dunfree, a single mom from the Midwest who moves to Hollywood to help her 13-year-old daughter achieve stardom. She is delighted to be working alongside “entertainment professionals,” and she is eager to get advice about “making it” in show biz.
“She is just bursting at the seems with goodwill,” Mullally said. “And because I felt like she is really dorky, I picked up a $99 wig on Hollywood Boulevard for the character.
“I felt that would be her idea of the hippest, most cutting-age new hairdo imaginable, whereas it really is like Jane Kaczmarek circa 2002.”
Filming is complete on all 10 episodes for Season 2, which includes a guest appearance by Lynch in the finale.
So now Mullally has time to work on another series she and her spouse enjoy. She will guest star on “Parks and Recreation” as the ex-wife of her real-life husband, Nick Offerman (he plays series regular Ron Swanson).
“There was an episode in November called ‘Ron and Tammy’ that chronicled the very tumultuous relationship between Ron and his ex-wife,” Mullally said. “And there’s going to be more sparks flying, because we’re shooting a couple more episodes soon.
“I’m a little biased toward ‘Parks and Recreation’ because my husband is on it. But next to it, I feel like ‘Party Down’ is the best comedy show on TV.”
Oklahoman Daris George wins ‘Biggest Loser’ challenge
When Daris George was a
7th grader at Plainview Middle School in Ardmore, Okla., he weighed 217 pounds.
As a Season 9 contender on “The Biggest Loser,” he is down to 219 pounds after 14 weeks. He has lost 127 pounds since the show started.
“My relationship with food is a lot different now,” he said on Tuesday’s episode (April 20) of the NBC weight-loss competition series. “I’m not just eating whenever to get full. Now I know how many calories I should be eating every meal.”
He didn’t eat any cookies or cupcakes on Tuesday’s show, even though the eight remaining contestants were tempted with a food challenge. He did, however, win the building block challenge to earn a 1-pound advantage at the weekly weigh-in.
He didn’t need it, though. He dropped seven pounds on his own.
“I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself when I came here,” he said. “But I have a lot of pride in myself now. This is the first challenge I’ve won, and I feel like I can do it now.”
Daris is still in the running for the $250,000 grand prize. It will be awarded to the finalist with the highest percentage of weight loss at “The Biggest Loser” live finale airing May 25 on NBC.
–Penny TV
Week-by-Week for Daris George
••Week 1 — dropped 29 pounds (went from 346 to 317)
••Week 2 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 317 to 310)
••Week 3 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 310 to 301)
••Week 4 — dropped 6 pounds (went from 301 to 295)
••Week 5 — dropped 12 pounds (went from 295 to 283)
••Week 6 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 283 to 274)
••Week 7 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 274 to 267)
••Week 8 — dropped 9 pounds (went from 267 to 258)
••Week 9 — dropped 10 pounds (went from 258 to 248)
••Week 10 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 248 to 244)
••Week 11 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 244 to 237)
••Week 12 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 237 to 233)
••Week 13 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 233 to 226)
••Week 14 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 226 to 219)
Week-by-Week for Cheryl George
••Week 1 — dropped 14 pounds (went from 227 to 213)
••Week 2 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 213 to 210)
••Week 3 — dropped 7 pounds (went from 210 to 203)
••Week 4 — dropped 6 pounds (went from 203 to 197)
••Week 5 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 197 to 194)
••Week 6 — dropped 3 pounds (went from 194 to 191)
••Week 7 — dropped 4 pounds (went from 191 to 187)
••Week 8 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 187 to 182)
••Week 11 — dropped 5 pounds (went from 182 to 176)
••Three months after being sent home — dropped 18 pounds (went from 182 to 164)
Pictured above: THE BIGGEST LOSER — Episode 914 — Pictured: Daris George — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC
‘Greatest American Dog’ winners attending Sunday’s Summer Adventure Expo
Two summers ago, Travis Brorsen and his boxer, Presley, won the title of “Greatest American Dog” on CBS. And since the network did not air a second season of the competition show last summer, the pair from Perry, Oklahoma, have exclusive bragging rights.
But they are still making sure that they deserve every bit of the title by performing for children and parents around Oklahoma.
On Sunday (April 18), they will be at Oklahoma’s Summer Adventure Expo. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Downtown Sheraton Hotel. Admission is free and features hands-on activities for children and entertainment for everyone.
Travis and Presley will take the stage around 2:30 p.m. and talk about manners. They will also demonstrate a new trick or two.
Other local personalities making appearances at the Expo include Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Rumble, the Thunder Girls, the Sugar Free All Stars and Channel 4 helicopter pilot Jim Gardner.
Also this week, Travis and Presley plan to make an appearance at the Urban Mission in Oklahoma City and Centennial Elementary in Edmond.
For more information on the “Greatest American Dog” winners, or to schedule an appearance with them, go to www.travisandpresley.com
–Penny TV
Bid on ‘American Idol’ items for a good cause
Simon Cowell has autographed a T-shirt, and it will go to the highest bidder.
So will a pair of sneakers signed by Ellen DeGeneres, vocal lessons from Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and two seats to every “American Idol” performance and results show next season from the Top 10 through the star-studded finale.
These items along with others are being auctioned online at www.IdolGivesBack.org. Bidding on the items ends on Tuesday, April 20, and proceeds go to the Idol Gives Back Foundation that benefits charities such as the Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America and Malaria No More.
Other items featured in the Idol Gives Back online auction include:
••Two tickets to the “American Idol” Season 9 finale on Wednesday, May 26, as well as a meet-and-greet with Simon Cowell.
••One-of-a-kind limited edition “American Idol” Samsung Strive mobile phone with one year of free service.
••$13,000 worth of Electrolux premium kitchen and laundry appliances, including delivery, installation and removal/disposal of old appliances.
••”American Idol” Coca-Cola judges cups autographed by Simon, Ellen, Randy, Kara and Ryan (one cup per winner, four total winners).
••Four premium seats to a taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and a VIP tour of the “Ellen” set (part of Ellen’s signed sneaker package).
To also help raise awareness and funds to benefit charities, Fox will air “Idol Gives Back” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21. This year’s special will feature performances and appearances by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars – as well as a few surprises – live from the “American Idol” stage. Carrie Underwood, Checotah native and Season 4 winner, is scheduled to take part. So is David Cook, Tulsa resident and “American Idol” Season 7 winner.
–Penny TV
