Survivor's Judson Birza

I have not really gotten into Survivor in a few seasons but this fall I did find myself getting drawn in. Pitting the young vs the old initially seemed pretty unfair but there was such stupidity on the younger tribe that it ended up being pretty equally balanced.

I just got around to watching the last two episodes on my DVR and sadly just said goodbye to the awesome Jane. My initial crush on Chase is still there Judson Birza aka Jud the Stud aka Fabio has certainly taken him to #1. First off Judson is great looking, but in the last episode he showed what a big heart he has as well.

I fear Jud will leave quite early tonight and if that is the case I really hope Holly wins. I can't say I really like Holly, she is quite annoying actually, but...with Jane out of the running it would be great to see the woman slide on by Chase and Sash for the win!

Below: Jud with Sash and Chase.






Below:
Judson for Abercrombie & Fitch.




Judson also plays drums in the indie band Space Funk Odyssey.
You can listen some of their music on MYSPACE HERE:

Just Because: Mark Ballas

Every time Tom Bergeron or Brooke Burke (beautiful woman, horrible host) say 'Teen Activist' to introduce Bristol Palin I laugh. I also know however that means I am going to get my weekly Mark Ballas fix. Ballas did not disappoint last night.

I am now officially out of the Dancing With The Stars closet. Honestly I looked down on DWTS watchers in the past, seemed like a colossal waste of time. But then, last season the accident that is Kate Gossilin had me tune in. Watching her dance was about on par with the Elaine dancing episode of Seinfeld. I usually try to do some work related task when I watch (last night I painted kitchen cupboards...takes away the guilt), but I don't regret at all catching the oh so adorable Ballas!




Thanks to IronMan for the caps!

Just Because: Survivor Nicaragua

Just Because: I want to like Survivor Nicaragua, there are some interesting team members and I am still crushing a bit over Chase (above). But...
The premise of show, which could have been amazing, but instead has been ruined by the producers and casting of the show.

If your going to have young vs old you need to ensure the challenges are created on a level playing field. You cannot put a bunch of 20 somethings on one team and another team of people in their 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's and make all the challenges physical. Not just physical but intensely physical. There should have been challenges that played to the skills of the older players. The show really did not. In addition they did not just separate the teams by age but the older team has a couple of members who can barely move and another couple who look like they might need to have their meds upped just a bit.

It looks like the teams merge next week but the damage is done. The last few weeks of Survivor Nicaragua have set a pretty dismal tone.

In addition, this current season has one of the truly nastiest players, (NaOnka below) I have ever seen on the show. Parts of this hour are just unpleasant to watch. I know editing plays a huge role on reality tv but NaOnka is not just edited as a reality villain, she is being shown as truly one of the ugliest human beings I have ever seen on television.



Jeff Probst's lectures are getting a bit tiresome as well. Telling the seniors they need to get their act together when they have just lost a physical challenge to the 20 somethings is equal to getting mad at your radio for not being a tv...just dumb.

Survivor: The Battle Of The Bulge

Remember a couple of years ago on Survivor Gabon when Marcus and Charlie and the other guys flopped around in their boxers unobstructed. Well of course many of us remember that led to Marcus and his famous pop-out (see below). Well I guess CBS wants to ensure we don't get any more accidental penis shots and are therefore blurring all the crotches of the current group of guys on Survivor Nicaragua. I got to tell you in some ways it makes the shots much more sensational and erotic. No we are not getting to see any back and forth action but we are left to wonder if the size of the blur matches the guy on screen...


The Video Link is still able to be watched at NakedStraightGuys found HERE:

Initially I was drawn to Shannon Elkins (below). His hotness faded about the time he opened his mouth. His numerous stupid statements has him atop the tool pile.


Lovely Judson Birza, student and model certainly is purdy but thus far has not shown much in the brain wave department. Even his team mates have dubbed him 'Fabio'.



That leaves Chase Rice, a country musician and former UNC linebacker as my favorite. It is too early to say how my crush will play out but all the blurring of his jockey's certainly helped seal the deal.

Celebrity Apprentice

Putting my feelings about Donald Trump aside, I have been enjoying Celebrity Apprentice. Was sad to see Cyndi Lauper leave last night. She is a true artist and has been hilarious to watch. Loved her fighting for 'the gays' as she put it.

Editing is an interesting thing, Cyndi came across as lovable and sweet even at times she was far from it. Holly Robinson Peete however, came across as queen of the bitches, again, even when she was not. The rivalry between these two women has been a theme the producers certainly played up. Cyndi is quite honest in her feelings about it, I think Holly 'taking the high' road comes across as quite false. It was evident from the get go Holly was jealous of the attention Cyndi got. She went out of her way to belittle her and resented the fact that Cyndi's talent as a singer and artist were taken more seriously than her own.

This show and it's editing have made me love Cyndi and her passion even more. Despite what I said above, it also has given me respect for Peete, whom I never really knew before the show. I like Sharon Osbourne quite a bit less, and have gone from laughing at Bret Michaels and his tears to actually seeing him as a caring and talented artist. I think Curtis Stone has it locked up but we shall see. One thing the editing cannot do however is make Donald Trump look any less like a tool.

Just my thoughts.






And...it gives me an excuse to add a little Curtis Stone to FH.





Curtis in 'Surfing the Menu'

Reichen Lehmkuhl in My Big Gay Italian Wedding

Above: Reichen by Scott Hoover.

If your in New York don't miss checking out favorite Reichen Lehmkuhl in 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding' which begins previews tomorrow night at the St. Luke’s Theatre at 308 West 46th Street. The show runs Wednesday through Saturday. You can check out the official site for more info HERE: Reichen has been a great support to FH and you can check out my interview last October for Favorites Of Favorites HERE:

Below: Reichen with the cast of 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding'

Jack Mackenroth by CoverUp

Readers of FH know that Jack Mackenroth, best known to some for his time on Project Runway is one of my favorite men and I have posted about Jack several times in the past. I want to call myself a fan, but at the same time the word 'fan' almost diminishes the immense respect and admiration I have for Jack. Jack's work and activism on behalf of HIV is not just speeches and fundraising. Jack lives a life so full, that it is an inspiration in itself, and far more powerful a statement than any speech that could be made.

In fact, when I contacted Jack about this post he was just about to jump on a plane to Florida for swim training camp, but in between everything he was doing still took the time to help me with everything I needed.



I first saw this series of shots by photographer CoverUp on Jack's facebook fan page. I encourage you all to go there now and 'like' Jack is looking to get 10,000 by his birthday this week and I know the FH readers can help him out. You can find his fb page HERE:



Jack says about his work with CoverUp:

I liked doing this shoot because it was more artistic and moody that my usual shoots. It was about capturing a moment or a subtle emotion. I was unshaven and my hair was messy so the images have a grittier more natural feel. Usually everything is uberslick and photoshopped which I also like but this had a different vibe. His direction was minimal but definitive and he really wanted to experiment with light and shadow.

It was exactly the natural feel to these shots that drew me to them. As a model Jack has a huge portfolio of great shots, but there was something special about this shoot that drew me in. Although obviously shot with intent, there was still something almost voyeuristic about them, almost as if you were capturing Jack in a quiet moment not meant for the camera.

Much of New York Photographer CoverUp's work has that feel. You can check out more of his work at his Flickr page HERE: His Expressions series is especially emotion filled.



As for other news in Jack's professional life, he just finished another shoot and I has 3 more planned next month. Jack is currently training for the US Swimming Masters Nationals in Atlanta and the Gay Games in Cologne this summer.

Jack filmed a pilot for a fashion game show called "Who Wore it Best" on the Oxygen network and still awaiting word of a pick-up. Jack is also producing a reality show about New York drag queens and is still designing since his appearance on Project Runway.

Jack continues to travel around the country and speak about fighting the stigma of HIV. For more information please visit Jack's official Site HERE: and follow him on Twitter HERE:

Jake Pavelka on Dancing With The Stars

Even with Kate Gossilin robotically moving (yes I guess moving fits) around the floor last night on Dancing With The Stars, Jake Pavelka made the viewing worth it. Pavelka out Cruised Tom Cruise by looking hot beyond belief and stealing the show. Thanks to Superherofan for the amazing caps!