04.01.05 Special
Edition: With failing ratings proving a daunting
challenge, Sylvester Stallone’s boxing-themed reality
television show has come up with a novel way to try to pull a
rabbit from a hat.
Normally played something like a combative version of The
Apprentice, the 'Surprise Contender' program pits two fighters
against one another while the victorious
fighter continues on to the next round or episode. This week's
episode taping will take The Contender in a new direction, with
the episode playing more like Celebrity Boxing.
The episode will feature FAA Administrator Marion
Blakey, and an 'as yet to be named' FOX newscaster. Says
Blakey, “I am so tired of those supposed news people
reporting on aviation. They don’t even know the difference
between an accident and an incident. I can’t wait to get into
the ring with whomever FOX sends.”
On the FOX News side, a spokesperson (who declined to be named),
read from a prepared statement. “All we try to do is report
the news. We do the best we can. Ms. Blakey is taking this far too
personally. Still, FOX will have a newscaster in the ring with her,
even if we have to threaten to fire someone to get them there. Sean
Hannity might be a good match.”
Administrator Blakey, who has been criticized for her lack of a
pilot’s license, nevertheless is protective of the agency and
industry she administers. Blakey has made it known that she has
little patience for the lack of knowledge the FOX newscasters
(among others) have on the subject of aviation. She has already
pummeled one FOX newscaster, symbolically, as reported on Feb 28,
2005 in an ANN Klyde Morris news article.
ANN caught up with
Blakey at her favorite gym, a few blocks North of FAA
headquarters in Washington, DC. Blakey, while getting in a little
practice with a punching bag (and demonstrating an impressive left
jab), stated that, “They can tell the difference between a
Toyota and a Ford... but forget it with a 747 and 777. I’ll
teach these guys a lesson in the ring.” She then continued to
wallop the punching bag.
Contender creator Stallone is confident in the wide viewership
potential for the special episode, “I think this has the
potential of being the highest rated reality show...
ever.”
If the ratings prove successful, a follow-up episode is already
in the planning stages, featuring AOPA President Phil Boyer versus
Chicago Mayor Daley.
Winner takes Meigs.