Episode 26.14 - Green Is The New Black
April 25

Chico: Hey, I'm Chico Alexander, and in honor of this week's premieres (that we'll cover next week), I'm going to do the entire show with my back to Gordon Pepper.... while repoing his car.
Gordon: ...
Jason: You know I am seriously curious about Repo Games lol
Gordon: ...
Chico: If he says something interesting, I'll leave his car alone and turn around.
Gordon: ... (holds up and jiggles Chico's car keys)
Chico: (turns around)... you bastard. =p
Gordon: (walks off)
Chico: Get Back here!
Gordon: I think your house keys are attached to this, too.
Chico: That would be ...(grabs keys)... a Yes.
Gordon: Aw, it's a little Goomba key chain icon
Chico: Shut it. And now that I have it back, let's do this thing we call the big showgram... from somewhere in my garage... WLTI... is... ON!
Jason: WOO!
Chico: Once again, thank you for being a part of our week and for letting us be a part of yours.
Gordon: Taking my car back is Gordon Pepper, taking his sleep back (or not), is our special guest today. Mr. Jason Block.
Jason: (Yawn). I am ready.
Chico: Caffeinated much?
Jason: Overso.
Chico: Ah. Good.
Jason: So I could crash at any minute :)
Chico: Hopefully not before we talk about the big story (or two) of the week. The first... George Gray just got his calling.
Jason: The announcement was made this week that George Gray is THE new permanent announcer on TPIR.
Chico: He gets to crash out on the (newly spiffed up) booth made famous by Johnny Olsen, Rod Roddy, and one Rich Fields...
Gordon: You know, we've been bashing TPIR and the powers that be for the rotating announcer carousel. It's good that they made a decision - but it's also good because I think they made the right choice.
Jason: I think they did too. For this reason. Gray is what they are looking for...an announcer with skills and the comedic route that makes him the butt of the joke.
Chico: They could've gone the "friends of Drew" route. Instead, they went with our generation's Art James.
Gordon: Gray, who has shown his talents on many game shows, has the right amount of snarky to be an evil foil to Drew Carey.
Chico: And perhaps why you like him so much.
Gordon: I do. He's clever and he likes to play the strategy (or lack of) game.
Chico: Of course, in an ideal world, this decision wouldn't be made (and we all know why)... but we don't live in an ideal world. This is a good decision.
Gordon: He's a comedian, and he's very smart on his feet, improv-wise. You could see him as a Friend of Drew on Drew Carey's Let's rip of Whose Lineapalooza.
Chico: and he doesn't mug for the camera... Steve White. So congrats, George... Man the mic with honor.
Jason: Do the other announcers proud...and make the show your own.
Gordon: So the first half of the big news - good stuff. The second part - not so good, and especially if you're a poker fan.
Chico: Gordon.
Gordon: :(
Jason: (shudder)
Chico: The story: the feds are cracking down on the big poker websites. Full Tilt Poker, AbsolutePoker, Ultimate Bet.net, and Pokerstars.com. They're all being hit for various charges.
Gordon: Cracking down being defined as pulling the plug and blocking people form playing.
Chico: You can still play, but if you have money deposited with the site... you're not gonna see it. Ever. Again. Ever.
Gordon: Mostly for violating the ICEAG Act and disguising poker payouts as other deposits and withdrawals.
Jason: Pretty much
Gordon: Now how does this affect you the game show fan and TV watcher? Well with no internet companies playing, that also means no internet companies ADVERTISING. And almost every poker show on the air is sponsored heavily by these companies, who put in over 47 million dollars in sponsorship fees.
Chico: Big Board to illustrate the point?
Gordon: Yes

Chico: This is called "Your Site's Name and Money Here". Poker After Dark is sponsored by...
Gordon: Full Tilt
Jason: Right.
Chico: And "The Big Game" and "Million Dollar Challenge"..
Jason: Pokerstars
Chico: And High Stakes Poker.
Jason: Full Tilt
Chico: And WPT.
Jason: Full Tilt
Chico: And the Caribbean Poker Adventure...
Jason: Pokerstars
Chico: And the WSOP?
Jason: Beer :) and Harrah's.
Gordon: Well, most of these shows will probably finish their runs, but unless you're connected to a major event (like the World Series of Poker), many of these shows will not see a new season.
Chico: Or unless you foot the bill with the sports department of your network. NBC with the National Heads-Up Championship.
Gordon: Well, no, Pokerstars sponsors the event.
Chico: Oh dear. Just happens to air on the sports department of NBC then?
Jason: Yes.
Gordon: Right. NBC co-brands the event, and they could pony up the rest of the money if they want to keep it that way.
Chico: But take a look at the players, and you see a lot of branding. A lot of companies pour a lot of money to get their name on the TV... and now they can't, as evidenced by yesterday's MOVED airing of HSP. Got the quote from GSN.
Jason: Lets hear it :)

"As a result of the indictments and by mutual agreement, PokerStars.net and Full Tilt Poker.net have withdrawn their presenting sponsorships, brand integrations, and ads from GSN’s poker programming. Beginning this weekend, our poker schedule will incorporate those and other changes, and we will evaluate additional adjustments to our schedule as warranted."

Gordon: Makes sense
Jason: Smart.
Chico: (Translation: we're moving our cash cow to the shadowy pasture out back where you can't get at it.) Already switching presenting partners is the NHPC airing on NBC (now presented by GoDaddy.com)
Gordon: So the money is still out there. just with different sponsors.
Chico: Right.
Jason: Yes.
Chico: So it's basically the beginning of the end of poker on TV as we know it.
Jason: For now.
Gordon: Well, yes and no. There can still be poker - just shows not sponsored by those guys. Now if you had a casino sponsor these events, then they could still stay on the air.
Jason: Which will probably happen. How convenient.
Gordon: Well, if I'm a casino and I have a property, I don't want it leaving the airwaves. Especially if I'm raking in the ratings and money
Chico: I can tell you right now for PAD that's NOT going to be a problem. You know how many times they mention Aria at Citycenter? It's MINDBOGGLING!
Jason: Nice place though.
Chico: And WSOP isn't going anywhere, because a) Harrah's won't let it, and b) beer. For the time being, the poker is still on the air because of all this.
Gordon: Whether the government wants to acknowledge it or not, Poker is a powerful property and a revenue generator. I personally think that once they get their internal revenue cut, poker will be put back on the net. Now someone needs to sponsor Stefano's musical career.
Chico: NOT IT!



Chico: Stefano Langone sang "Closer" on American Idol this week, but the only thing he's closer to is the exit door. Because let's face it... it sounded like a fan of Ne-Yo singing Ne-Yo.
Gordon: Now what happened here, besides the obvious that he stunk up the joint worse that a viking's shoes after a 6 month voytage?
Chico: He could've seized the R&B vote. Unfortunately, he only half-assed it. Came off as a fan of soul music trying to be a soul singer.
Jason: He had one style...LOUD AND BIG.
Gordon: And he was stuck in a pop glut with Haley and an R&B Glut with Jacob. So now he's out. What's next week's theme, Mr. Block?
Jason: Carole King
Chico: I LOVE THIS! Finally... a challenge! Because here's the thing. You can have the R&B singer, the country singer, the pop singer, whatever, what have you, but to succeed on American Idol, you have to be able to sing ANYTHING.
Gordon: We finally have the singers brains in motion.
Jason: Exactly.
Gordon: Now where do Stefano's' votes go?
Chico: Jacob, and maybe Haley.
Gordon: Some to Jacob and some to Haley.
Chico: And when you couple that with the "shock" of Jacob being in the bottom two (with a lifeless performance)... I think you'll agree with me when I say that the next round of eliminations is going to be... interesting.
Gordon: We have 2 poppers left (Haley and Casey) and 2 country singers left (Lauren and Scotty). Can the audience support 2 country singers in the Top 5? Previous years have suggested not, so if I'm Lauren, I'm concerned.
Chico: I wouldn't count out Lauren. She's been emerging.
Gordon: And if I'm Scotty, I'm also concerned, as the split vote could lead to BOTH of them in the bottom. And if people don't vote for Scotty because they think he's safe...uh oh.
Jason: I agree totally.
Chico: In fact, BOTH ladies have been emerging as of late. I wouldn't be surprised AT ALL if your bottom three were Scotty, Haley, and Lauren. (because, hey, gotta put someone there)
Jason: Scotty could be in deep trouble this week. I think he coasted.
Chico: We all know he's a good country singer, but will he grab some of Stefano's vote? That could be the decider.
Jason: Nope
Gordon: Could be interesting. For Survivor, it's much less interesting.



Chico: Getting the basics out of the way... Julie was sent to Redemption Island. Because Rob wanted her gone, and whatever Rob wants, Rob gets. Been the same six people voting the same way.
Gordon: Her burying Phillip's shorts didn't help
Chico: No it did not... because Phillip, Like him or not... is one of the six.
Jason: So racism is less important than tribe loyalty then
Chico: Glad you brought that up. Jason, when I call you crazy... what does that usually mean?
Jason: I am crazy.
Chico: Gordon... when I call you crazy, what does that mean?
Gordon: You're trying to split our faction up and I'm looking real good to bring to the finals.
Chico: OUTSIDE of the faction, it means you're crazy. But if you're Phillip... precisely. Is Phillip crazy? He's a LUNATIC. But right now, he's a smart lunatic. But it brings up a sticky point... do you play the race card to get yourself further in the game? It's one of those moral questions that the game of Survivor has become known for once in a while.
Gordon: If I want to stick around? yes. If I want to win? no.
Jason: I have a serious bone to pick with the casting people of survivor. There have been a few contestants that pull the race card out (Na"onka and Philip most recently) It's tiring, boring and unappealing. Why? It's played out. It just upsets me.
Gordon: May I counter?
Jason: Sure
Chico: Counterpoint from Gordon.
Gordon: Racism is part of our society, like it or not. I know it doesn't play in my life, but it does in others. Survivor is a microcosm of society, and hence we see it a lot, but in a smaller form. If you took out the 'racism' factor, then you're not really playing the game. Just like if you're not casting angry people of any race, then you're not casting real life.
Jason: BTW...this happens in a LOT of reality shows...not just this one for the record
Chico: Particularly on VH1. =p
Gordon: Would it be nice to see people not play the card? sure, but if you're playing for a million and if you feel you're neck is on the line, you're going to say anything to save yourself, and under that pressure, anything goes.
Chico: And this is where I throw my two cents in. This is what happens when you have a high-stakes game with zero rules accompanying it. Survivor is the classic game of outwit, outplay. As in, here's a million dollars... GO AT IT. It's a democracy short of battle royale. And if that's what Phillip and people LIKE him feel that they need to do to play the game and MAYBE win... then it is what it is.
Jason: So Racism (even as a ploy) is ok?
Chico: Morally no. Morally, it's repugnant.
Jason: But as strategy, it works.
Gordon: It works - but it's counter-productive. It makes you more likely to go to the end because I want you to be the person against me at the final jury. Dreamz played the exact same card and he got no votes. If Philip gets to the end with the race card, it means that people want to be against him in the finals because barring Philip actually getting an idea in his head, he's not going to win.
Chico: TV doesn't make reality, reality only makes TV.
Jason: There you go
Chico: And that's all I got.
Jason: I am just saying I was uncomfortable when I saw it and a little bored.
Chico: And icky?
Jason: Yeah
Gordon: But again, if it won't work, then people will stop using it. Unless Phillip makes a move, he won't win
Chico: Nope. Okay, now that we're all icky and questioning ourselves, let's have a bit of a palate cleanser. NO ONE got eliminated on the Race this week!



Jason: And a team won a pair of cars *(cough Ford Focus--sponsor*)
Chico: YAY FORD.
Gordon: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Chico: Aww. Gordon's sad.
Gordon: Not sad. Bored. I'd rather see a race fight than a non-elimination leg.
Jason: I don't know if I could have done the food though
Chico: I probably could've. I wouldn't hear the end of it, but I could've.
Gordon: I'd have gone for the food.
Chico: But would you rather lift a heavy psychiatrist's couch? Granted, it's better for you. So you've eaten and you've psychoanalyzed. Now how's your chimney sweeping skills?
Jason: Not bad
Chico: Zev & Justin end up in first place, their third such placing, and it hasn't escaped me that they're more adept at mental-oriented legs (this one had a task that you had to memorize a location from backing up one of those cars we can't say for fear of legal repercussions). Not to mention concentrating on food when you've got 12 minutes to eat.
Jason: But yeah...the father daughter team...DEEP trouble.
Chico: Very much so. If they don't escape from the Speed Bump in the next leg, I don't see how they survive.
Jason: But Kent needs to grow a set. Stop whining...k thx bye
Chico: Dude. He's a model. What do you expect?
Jason: LOL
Gordon: I expect better play.
Chico: Sara Heard had... some better question answering. Unfortunately it only got her four days. The Brooklyn Bombshell meets her Waterloo at the foot of Authors. Ready?
Jason: Yup
Chico: ANSWER!

He died in 1995, the day before the opening of a Glasgow veterinary library named for him.

Chico: Jason?
Jason: Who is James Herriott?
Chico: Gordon?
Gordon: Who is James Guinness, the father of Skunky Beer?
Chico: I LIKE Guinness, thank you.
Gordon: Its skunky.
Chico: And by the way, that's IRISH, not Scottish.
Jason: LOL
Chico: James Herriott is your response. Sara has it... But Mary Mitchell had more money at the end of DJ!. The champ had $5600... Mary has $12,200 against Jason Rhode's $15,200... And Jason missed it. They did bet against each other... but Mary got it... Jason didn't. Aww. Now with $85,601, Sara enters the tournament picture, but I don't see how she gets out of the opening round unless she plays like a contestant possessed.'
Gordon: I don't she gets out of the opening week either. And the hamsters are yelling at me because they like Irish beer.
Chico: NO DRINKING ON THE JOB!
Jason: Oh no.
Gordon: No more beer. Everyone drinks milk now.

(Cursing from hamsters)

Rob the Cash Cow: Moo.

(More cursing from hamsters)

Chico: This is getting ugly.
Gordon: Roll that beautiful brain footage.
Chico: Now please?

(Doug: Live, local, and latebreaking... From the four corners of the globe to your frontal lobe, this is WLTI Brainvision News, and now here's Gordon Pepper, Chico Alexander, and the award-winning Brainvision News Team)

Chico: Thanks, Doug! I got a greenlight that I'm sure you'll enjoy... and by that I mean you'll hate it.
Gordon: Lovely.

Dating is going syndicated with "Excused" from CBS TV Distribution and Renegade 83.

Jason: Premise?
Chico: It's basically the Bachelor... in a "modern style home in Encino"... on five days a week.
Jason: I feel ill.
Chico: Hosted by Iliza Shlesinger
Jason: Who?
Gordon: Last Comic Standing winner.
Chico: Won series 6.
Gordon: Sure did. You'll be watching the show religiously, won't you?
Chico: That would be a no, sir. But if you want to be on the show, Gordon...

You can call 818-480-3112.

Jason: LOL
Gordon: I'm submitting you and Jason.
Jason: Hell no
Gordon: You got no rings on your fingers.
Chico: WAIT! I got another one.
Gordon: It better be good, or I'm submitting you.
Chico: This one, you'll go "eh"... and by that, I mean you'll like it.

Picture "The Singing Bee" if it was held on the set of "Distraction". That's the premise of "Sing If You Can", which, after hitting the UK, is looking for a home in the US.

Chico: It's musical. It's evil. I wonder why Gordon isn't hosting it.
Jason: That's right up Gordon's alley :)
Gordon: Eh. It's ok. I'd have to see it in execution form. Keep in mind the UK version of Distraction was better than the US version. I hope they don't sterilize this version.
Chico: Well, it'll lack the celebrities of the original, if that helps.
Gordon: Maybe, Maybe not. Thank God You're Here, anyone?
Chico: Now THAT was Improv Hell. BTW, Drew Carey's I-A-G... thanks for the game of "Question This" this week. We'll see you in court.
Jason: Huh?
Chico: "Question This"... they got answers from the audience and made up questions for them. As in what Gordon usually does.
Gordon: We want royalties.
Chico: I demand royalties! I'll settle for a datebook.
Gordon: I got that too.

Tuesday has both Repo Games and The Voice. Maybe if The Voice sucks badly enough, the repo guys can take the show off the air.

Jason: Both shows interest me

And BrainSurge has a week of celebrity co-hosts. They don't get in the way of the games, so, we'll be fine.

Jason: Agreed
Gordon: Yes, but some of these people won't be fine.
Chico: Uh oh.

Are YOU Smarter than...Michael Skupin. He burned his hands on Survivor 2, and now he may be burned for not paying up Child Support.

Jason: Deadbeat.
Chico: Precisely
Gordon: We got a bunch of Haterade this week. We start with Augustus



Chico: Hold on. Let me get my big boy cup.
Jason: Me too.

The Ultimate Recipe Showdown is MIA.

Chico: Not enough cakes. :-)
Gordon: Now for the rest of the Haterade.

Ali from The Bachelorette gets into a kayaking accident and gets 5 stitches into her skull.

Chico: Ow.
Jason: OUCH
Gordon: Now onto the Love Zombie.



Looks like Emily and Brad, the couple that SWORE it would be forever...is officially kaput. This after Emily has been going out without the ring on her finger.

Gordon: Chico must be devastated.
Jason: Shocked! I am SO SHOCKED.
Chico: I'm absolutely shocked. Look at the shock on my face. :-|
Jason: That's an evil smile.
Gordon: That smile needs to get fully loaded.
Jason: (HIC)
Chico: And it needs to go global as well. Check this out.

The Cube is coming to home consoles.

Jason: Not here in the US though
Chico: Awww.

It's also been renewed for a fourth season.

Chico: Again, not in the US. Awwww.
Gordon: Yay!
Jason: LOL
Chico: I know you're heartbroken, Gordon. Absolutely heartbroken.
Gordon: I'm terminally depressed over this notion
Chico: ... no you're not.
Jason: Not even close.
Gordon: You're right, Im not.
Chico: He'd be more heartbroken if he had no hoes to report on.
Gordon: Very true, sir.

(plays "Pimpin All Over the world")

Gordon: But I have hoes, so I'm not heartbroken

In this weeks Media Ho Report, Kris Allen debuts a new song, Laurieann Gibson hosts a new dancing show on BET, Shayne Lamas may be pregnant...with no husband....

Jason: Well now....
Chico: My throat's a little whor-se.

Sherri Shepherd goes green, Wayne Brady cuts a record for Disney, Ken Warwick blames America for the voting results.

Chico: Completely discounting the non-challenge factor, of course.

J-Lo pitches a reality show, Jerry Seinfeld pulls out of The Donald's Charity event, and Ricki Lake goes back to daytime TV.

Gordon: But none of them are the ho of the week.
Chico: Do tell, mon frere.
Gordon: The ho is...Pia Toscano, who has a new album coming out early, who has to juggle schedules (singing on Dancing With the Stars)...and...has to juggle...BOYFRIENDS.
Jason: Oops LOL
Gordon: Because no one told Carlos Nunez in NYC that she was going out with Mark Ballas in LA.
Chico: OH!
Jason: Hey-yo!
Gordon: And those...are your hoes.
Chico: And finally... let's go global one more time...

Rose d'Or nominations are OPEN. I like these... basically a bit of "win these awards today, we'll be talking about you tomorrow".

Chico: Notable Rose d'Or winners include Pop Idol...Don't Forget Your Toothbrush ... the Mole... Deal or No Deal.. The Apprentice... and Power of 10. Yes, THAT Power of 10.
Jason: WOOT
Chico: Michael Davies can look at his rugby buddies and say "Yeah, I got one of those." And that'll do it for Brainvision. Shut it down, J.
Jason: (Shutting down)
Chico: Still to come, my recordy-box overfloweth... and I ask for help in Watch or Record.
Jason: Got it. We can help.
Gordon: And then we bring the words. You're reading WLTI. You give us 22 minutes, and we'll give you 22 groups that the government should go after instead of the internet poker industry. Like Jaywalkers.
Chico: And trolls.
Jason: And drivers that don't use turn signals. Textwalkers.
Chico: Bullies.

(Brainvision is powered by El Cheapo Beer... It's only good when you're drunk off something else.)

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