According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on data from 2006, the five counties of Huntington, West Virginia are the nation’s unhealthiest.  According to the data, nearly half the adults in the area are obese.

It’s probably no coincidence that Huntington is also one of the poorest cities in the nation.  The community once thrived with the coal mines and plenty of manufacturing jobs.  Now those many of those jobs are gone and the only solace available is found in a basket of fried finger foods.   The largest employers in the area now are hospitals and Marshall University (home of the “Thundering Herd” football team depicted in the movie “We Are Marshall”).

Survivor: Samoa, the 19th season of the show will begin Thursday, September 17, 2009.

 
Ashley Trainer (22) Describes herself as funny, outgoing and flirty, with an emphasis on flirty.

 
Ben Browning (28) Transplanted blue eyed country boy living in the big city. He’s a bar manager who claims he’s never been rejected by a girl.

 
Betsy Bolan (48) Just fulfilled her dream of becoming a cop last year when she was 47.  I wonder if that pales in comparison to her dream of playing Survivor.

 
Brett Clouser (23) A T-Shirt designer who has a Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University.

 
Dave Ball (38) Comes from a long line of preacher men and considers himself a “rock and roll rebel”.

 
Elizabeth Kim (33) Living her American dream is her parents emigrated from South Korea when she was just 2 years old.

 
Erik Cardona (28) A proud player who makes no excuses when dating 4 or 5 women at a time.

 
Jaison Robinson (28) A Type A Eagle Scout who has a long list of accomplishments and accolades which prove his determination to succeed.

 
John Fincher (25) It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to win Survivor, but it can’t hurt either.  John considers winning his favorite hobby.

 
Kelly Sharbaugh (25) Describes herself as spontaneous and passionate in her desire to live life to the fullest.

 
Laura Morett (39) Doesn’t look like your typical grandmother, probably because she’s also a fitness instructor from Hawaii.

 
Marisa Calihan (26) She shouldn’t have any problem surviving the elements, having grown up on a farm in Ohio and learning survival skills from her father.

 
Mick Trimming (33) This doc has a sense of humor if his bio is any indication. When asked what the craziest thing he would do if he won the money, Mick’s response was “give a homeless person a tongue bath”.   He was joking right?

 
Mike Borassi (62) – A personal chef will stir the pot, promising to say or do whatever it take to win.

Monica Padilla (25) Will rely on her power of persuasion in the game.  She plans to use all her assets to win, much like Parvati and Amanda, she has no problem playing the flirt card.

 
Natalie White (26) A Southern Belle who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.

 
Russell Hantz (36) Is already being touted as the biggest villain in Survivor history.  Jeff Probst calls him evil:  inside and out.

 
Russell Swan (42) An environmentalist and attorney.  Now this would be my pick for evil inside and out.

 
Shannon Waters (45) An everyday woman with a mullet (kind of an oxymoron there, since every day women don’t wear mullets)

Yasmin Giles (33) Nicknamed “Sassy Yassy” because she is an opinionated motor mouth, she always speaks her mind.  Somehow I don’t think that will go over well. 

As though it wasn’t weird enough seeing Ellen DeGeneres as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance last season, at least I could see the relevance.  Well, sort off.  Ellen dances on her show, so seasoned, phenomenally talented dancers would naturally want her opinion on their dancing abilities.  Yeah, it’s a leap. But it’s not the bungee jump producers of American Idol took when the signed Ellen on to replace Paula Abdul.  What exactly does Ellen DeGeneres have to do with music?  Simon Fuller explained the decision in a press release. “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years…” Well so have I, but nobody’s offered me a gazillion dollars to sit next to Simon Cowell and give my opinion (I give my opinion for free).  Speaking of sitting next to Simon Cowell, it’s incredibly hard to picture ever optimistic Ellen enduring Simon’s scathing remarks.  Paula did for years, but I think she was drunk most of the time.

I’m not thrilled with the choice, even though I think Ellen is ok.  I will just miss Paula’s whacky comments.  

Natalie isn’t winning many fans this season. I wouldn’t call her a villain, just annoying and stupid. Actually, I don’t think any of the houseguests in this season of Big Brother have been villains; especially when you consider the antics of past guests like Evel Dick or Doctor Will.  Ronnie tried to fill those big shoes, but his manipulations did him in before he could do any real damage.  Aside from inspiring cult-like devotion of Lydia & Natalie, Jessie didn’t make much of an impression.   

Natalie’s in the final three despite her ridiculous strategy of lying about her age, her alliances and her actions.   Her worst trait is her hypocritical self-righteousness: she’s appalled when she is lie-ee instead of the liar.  Of course, every player is guilty of that to some extent. Russell would have happily turned on Jeff if Jeff hadn’t beaten him to the punch.  When Kevin and Natalie went back on their word to Jeff, he had only himself to blame. 

I’m usually puzzled by the winner of Big Brother.  There’s such a fine balance with keeping the people you like and eliminating the people everyone likes. The winner is usually a player who stayed in the middle of the pack.  That’s certainly the case this year, with three floaters bobbing to the finish line.   

I wonder what Natalie will think when she exits the BB house and realizes she is nowhere near as liked or smart as she thinks.

No matter how bizarre or disastrous a performance, Paula can always find something positive to say. “Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to the real critique of what really went on.”  I think more people could use that skill.

During negotiations with Idol’s producers, Paula received support from her fans. She wrote “What I want to say most is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me… It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month.”

According to Radar Online, Paula wanted $20 million to return to the show. The astronomical figure is a fraction of what producers offered Ryan Seacrest, reportedly $45 million over three years or Simon Cowell, reportedly $144 million. Simon is clearly viewed as the reason why millions tune in to the show, which rakes in $900 million in advertising and promotion. I guess we’ll find out how much weight the snarky Brit really carries with the American public this coming season because Randy Jackson and newbie judge Kara Dioguardi are non factors.

I’ll miss Paula, to be sure. I don’t think the show will be nearly as entertaining without her crazy quotes or bizarre antics. I will still tune in though, if only to satisfy my curiosity.

Learn more about e cigarettes.

Terence and Sarah have been dating for almost a year, but they couldn’t be more different.

Marisa and Brooke are best friends, who want to prove to the world that they’re not just cute blondes but also cut-throat competitors.

Andrew and Dan are frat brothers from Arizona State University.

Aja and Ty are a long-distance couple looking for an opportunity to be together for a period of time. Testing your relationship on the road doesn’t seem like a good idea.

Mark and Bill BFFs for 23 years plan to play the game strategically.

Toni and Dallas are mother and son who haven’t seen much of each since Dallas has been away at school.

Nick and Starr This brother/sister team will stop at nothing to win the Race.

Anita and Arthur have been married for 14 years, so the race should be a piece of cake.  It’s just another big adventure for the open hearted and free spirited couple.

Kelly and Christy are best friends that will not settle for second place.

Ken and Tina a married couple that have been separated for nine months, but they’re looking to put their relationship back together.  

Anthony and Stephanie Back together again after a year-long break-up, Anthony says he will propose to Stephanie if they make it through the Race.

The Amazing Race

Jeff Probst promises it’s just one twist of many to come.  In an interview with TV Guide, Probst said: “Mark my words. There’s so much crazy stuff to come — the kind that producers pray to the real­ity gods for.”   Their prayers were answered with a showmance between Ozzy and Amanda.  Probst hints it’s the real deal, right up there with All-Stars’ Rob and Amber. Parvati and James may not be as lasting, but they are at least as entertaining.   

It’s always interesting to see how things play out at Tribal Council.  Probst promises several players will be blindsided when the votes are read. I’m sure there will be plenty of new moments to add to my list. 

10. Robert Hatch hatches a plan to form an alliance and a strategy is born.

9.  Colby takes Tina to the final two, maintaining his word, but losing the million.

8. Tom is the man who can not lose.  Bobby Jon is the man who loses his insanity win he can’t win.

7.  Stephenie is the last member of her tribe and lives alone until the merge.

6. James was voted out and he had TWO immunity idols.

5. Rob Mariano negotiates with Lex to save Amber Brkich during All Stars

4.  Yau Man gives Dreamz a car in exchange for a promise.  If Dreamz wins immunity at the final three, he’d give it to Yau Man.  Dreams did win immunity, but he didn’t keep his word and Yau Man was voted out.

3.  Jonny Fairplay runs a con, claiming his Grandma’s dead.  

2.  Rupert Boneham steals opposing tribe’s shoes to sell for supplies.  It was a perfect start to the season’s pirate theme on the Pearl Islands.

1.  Rupert wears a skirt