My blog

Label... Category... Standard Entry Video Information Press Release Event News

• Shhhhhhhh-anghai Rush!

  Friday, Mar 13, 2009 10:02AM / Standard Entry

  Well, the title says it all.  We're underway with the filming in Shanghai - rainy Shanghai that we really need to be sunny Shanghai.  Mother Nature already has been messin' with our shoot schedule which is a buzzkill, but all that means is we throw things around in different order and shoot stuff we were planning on doing later that wasn't weather dependent.  As for the details of what's already going on...?  Well, I can't really say much.  As you can guess, secrecy is paramount on a show like this, so while my family and some friends have asked me to keep blogging about what's going on, sorry guys, this is going to make for a boring read cause I can't really say anything!
  
  I've met the 10 teams - all very fun and competitive people!  I think it's going to be a doozy and I can't wait to see how it all plays out.  Now, if the rain would just go away so we could do this uninterrupted!
  
  Here are a couple of newsbits on the show:
  
  Shanghai Rush Starts.
  
  Meet Everyone.
  
  My official host photo.  Trust me, I'm laughing as hard as you are. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• a word

  Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 2:19PM / Standard Entry

  My, I'm feeling extra bloggy today...my second entry on the same day!  Well, I had meant to put this into my first blog, but failed to do so, thus, here I go again...
  
  One of the things that bugs me the most about China - I wonder if it's like this everywhere, or just in Shanghai and Beijing - where I have the most experience - is the hyper-customer service people hit you with when you walk into a store.  Whether it be a restaurant, a Starbuck's, a clothing store, or whatever, it seems that needlessly, at least 4-5 people immediately try to help you.  They pepper you with questions, suggestions, practically put stuff into your hands - and all I wanted was a simple cup of coffee.
  
  It might take 3 people to work up your coffee order for you.  It's unreal.  There is good customer service and then there is overzealousness that is flat out annoying.
  
  My theory is that it goes back to the fact that there are simply way too many people in this nation (or that come to the big cities for work opportunities) and not enough jobs.  It's takes 3 people to do the job of 1, but the powers that be here, let it happen.  Starbucks here are a 180 from ones in New York City, where in some, you couldn't get someone to take your order if you were standing there naked with your hair on fire.
  
  I caught a movie yesterday called Love In Translation about a French woman who falls in love with a local Chinese migrant worker.  The premise is flat out unreal, but when you get past the suspension of disbelief, it actually had the corny elements of a nice love story.  I've discovered that there's this French actress by the name of Vanessa Branch who speaks fluent Mandarin and acts in all these projects out here (as well as in Hollywood.)  Crazy, weird, cool.
  
  I was promised subtitles but a minute into the movie, after it started with them, they mysteriously disappeared!  Doh.  I half thought of walking out to complain, but then I decided to stick around and test myself.  (Who was I going to complain to, and what was I going to say?  I couldn't even say the name of the film when I bought a ticket - I just asked for the 5:20 showing of that "Love" movie - cause those words I can handle.)  The film was this blend of Mandarin/English/French - languages I'm at least a little bit familiar with - and I think while I was totally in the dark during some scenes as to what characters were saying, I got the gist of it through their expressions.  I decided I was basically watching a silent film in those moments and that's when I felt that I was sold on the film since the actors were conveying the emotions of the story well to this bozo who didn't necessarily understand everything that was going on. 
  
  Meanwhile...back home...my best friend from high school had a baby!  This is the first best friend of mine who has had a kid.  I actually feel kind of bad that I'm not there right now to meet the little bugger fresh out of the oven.  In a way, I feel like he's a part of me.  Is that my male estrogen talking?
  
  
  

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• I'm home!

  Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 10:02AM / Standard Entry

  Okay, well, maybe not.  But upon arriving back to Shanghai this past Friday, quite honestly, it really felt like I was back in a place that was really familiar.  As if it were home.  It started from the airport, and then the ride into Puxi, and then getting to my friend's place that I have to stay at for a few days before production starts.  Since I've gone down these "roads" before - and only recently - it really felt comfortable.  Crazy.  I would have never thought this possible.  5 years ago, if you would have told me, "B, 5 years from now, you will be hosting a TV show in Shanghai..." I woulda either laughed at you or punched you in the face.  Impossible. 
  
  Streets within the city are familiar, I told friends I know here that I'm back in town, and by my second night, I was visiting spots I've been to and know well...dare I say that I'm becoming a regular around here?
  
  I'm still absorbing it, but I'm here for about 3 months this time to shoot a new reality show called Shanghai Rush for the International Channel of Shanghai -- an English station here.  (Good thing, cause since my last visit here 4 months ago, I feel like my Chinese has declined!)  On Saturday, we had a photo shoot for all the contestants and myself, Sunday was interview day, and then what little we have of this week before the show kicks off on Thursday, we have been in preproduction mode like crazy.  It's more so the producers who are under the gun, but on Monday, I was in the production office amidst the crazy hustle bustle doing some work on developing my host character.  I gotta say, I'm loving the way the show is coming together.  I love the producers and the crew, everyone I have met so far has been great!  I've only met 1 of the teams in person (a mom-son combo from the States/Mexico, cute) but I've been studying up on the rest through their interviews, photoshoots, and background profiles.  Seems like we got a very eclectic bunch!  I can't wait to dig in...I'm going to remind myself how lucky I am and have fun every step of the way.
  
  I still can't believe I'm here.  My feet are on Shanghai soil.  And I'm about to host a reality show, which, well, I've never done before.  It's about as far away from my life in the States as humanly possible.  (I suppose going to Mumbai to host a show might be even crazier for me.)  We're doing a lot of this on the fly as we go, but from what's been described to me, and from the feeling I get with the team working on this, it's going to all come together nicely somehow.  No idea how we are going to get there, but we will.  We must!
  
  
  

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• ox-cellent!

  Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 8:23AM / Standard Entry

  Been a lil busy the past few weeks with so many various things...all positive though, for the most part.  My mom explained to me during your year - the year of the ox for me - superstition is that you will either have the best year ever or the worst year ever.  One of two extremes.
  
  This year...so far, so good.  But I ain't taking anything for granted...I'm just that kind of person, for better or worse.
  
  First off, this may seem silly to many, but to me - it's huge!  My favorite football squad of all time won the Super Bowl again.  I screamed my head off and I trust many of you in Asia heard me all the way from New York.  I even made a lil video about it...ignore the background, that's not my place. 
  
  
  
  Not too long after that, I found out I was cast in that Avatar: The Last Airbender film that's creating so much controversy.  It's a small role, but I'm looking forward to it.  I get to partake in the table read down in Philly on March 2 where I trust M. Night will be and maybe I'll work up the courage to ask him what his take is on all this backlash to the casting of mostly Caucasian faces in an obviously all-Asian story.  Then, a couple days after that, I'll be headed back out to Shanghai by March 5th...I still can't believe this, but...I was just made the host of a new reality show called Shanghai Rush!  Ha ha...that's right!  Your's truly will be making like my bud Allan Wu, host of Amazing Race Asia!  (I even contacted him for a few tips for my audition tape, he was really helpful!)  While it's setting in still, I'm getting excited about the whole thing...I'll get to hang around one of my favorite cities in the world, working, havin' fun, and seeing/doing things I would have otherwise never thought possible.  Just left Shanghai in November, didn't think I'd be back this soon.  Can't wait to be back in Asia again!
  
  The only bad news in all of this?  I have to give up my 7th row Hall & Oates tix for their acoustic show on 3/7!  So sad, I could cry.
  
  
  

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• happy chi...uh...lunar new year!

  Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 9:43AM / Standard Entry

  I just wanted to take this opportunity, as a public service announcement for other Asians on Earth who go by the lunar calendar, to remind you that it's not only Chinese humanoids who are going hog wild today.  Am I weird, but I get irked when people say to me, "happy chinese new year" even though I'm Chinese.  I appreciate it and happy new year to you too, but the world ain't chinese-centric.  It only appears so on TV.
  
  
  
  There is no doubt that it's the year of the Ox though, which I like.  That's me.  Bovine Brian.  Happy New Year all!  Now, back to my dumplings.
  
  
  
  
  

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