Last night, Gawker CHS encountered one of Charleston's own home-grown celebs: Akim Anastopoulo. That's right folks, Extreme Akim himself was partying it up in Upper King's classiest establishment, Charleston Beerworks, around 10:00pm, with a woman who was presumably his wife.
Looking ever-so-judicial in a dark brown fleece, Akim laughed it up with some pals over by the pool table. Gawker CHS was alerted to Akim's presence when one of our cub reporters announced in an awestruck voice that he had just given up his pool table to Extreme Akim! Ahh, the many benefits of fame.
Gawker CHS was out and about in the company of one Aussie who noted haughtily that Australians watch Judge Judy, etc., "ironically, to get a taste of what Americans are like." Burn. Australia 1, America 0.
27 January 2008
26 January 2008
Bully Pulpit?
Well-coiffed Democratic candidate John Edwards was on the College of Charleston campus last night for a rousing rally that in theory was part of the Bully Pulpit series.
For those not familiar with the College of Charleston's Bully Pulpit series, let Gawker CHS enlighten you. C of C's communications department has hosted what is, in theory, a series that brings presidential candidates from both parties to campus to discuss, and we quote, "...such topics as the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade." Unquote. We think this is a tremendous idea. Well done, C of C. Republican candidates Ron Paul and John McCain both answered students questions during their appearances earlier in the year, but as the election cycle heated up, things turned ugly.
Senator Barack Obama's appearance in the College's Cistern Yard several weeks ago was the turning point for the Bully Pulpit-ing, which went from informative and neutral to INCREDIBLY biased in two shakes of a Persian kitten's tail. Gawker CHS had the good fortune (not to mention patience---the line was redic) to witness this historic occasion, and without further ado, we present our case as to why we think the College's behavior was inappropriate:
Exhibit A. Video of the event on C of C's website. Check it out. There's yelling, there's cheering, there's signage, there's general discontent at the length of Senator John Kerry's speech.
Exhibit B. There was not ONE question from the audience taken during the Obama event.
Exhibit C. Obama did not at any point discuss, "the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade." Nada. Nothing at all. What did he discuss? (Two guesses.) Ok, who guessed change and hope? You did?! Y'all are geniuses. We mean that.
In conclusion, when the good people that are CNN's viewers and the New York Times' readers checked out the news, all they saw was the campus touting Senator Obama's candidacy. This was, basically, a campaign endorsement by the College of Charleston. Maybe Gawker CHS was unaware of a homecoming-band-style vote that took place to determine this move, but we're pretty sure no one polled the audience.
We digress.
The real heart of the matter is that this bastardization of the Bully Pulpit was perpetuated last night at the Edwards rally. Gawker CHS understands that like all celebs, presidential hopefuls have a tight schedule. But if the rumors are true and Senator Obama's campaign refused to come to the College in any other forum except a rally, then we should be truly peeved, if for no other reason than it opened the door for the Edwards campaign to make better use of its audience, rally-style, than follow the rules.
We know we're grumpy, but come on, C of C. You're given the Golden Ticket of Colleges: the chance to have presidential candidates hang out on our campus. And what do you do? You blow it. You let them walk all over you. College of Charleston, you are like that maid that Naomi Campbell threw a phone at.
Go to your room and think about what you've done to the next generation of American voters.
For those not familiar with the College of Charleston's Bully Pulpit series, let Gawker CHS enlighten you. C of C's communications department has hosted what is, in theory, a series that brings presidential candidates from both parties to campus to discuss, and we quote, "...such topics as the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade." Unquote. We think this is a tremendous idea. Well done, C of C. Republican candidates Ron Paul and John McCain both answered students questions during their appearances earlier in the year, but as the election cycle heated up, things turned ugly.
Senator Barack Obama's appearance in the College's Cistern Yard several weeks ago was the turning point for the Bully Pulpit-ing, which went from informative and neutral to INCREDIBLY biased in two shakes of a Persian kitten's tail. Gawker CHS had the good fortune (not to mention patience---the line was redic) to witness this historic occasion, and without further ado, we present our case as to why we think the College's behavior was inappropriate:
Exhibit A. Video of the event on C of C's website. Check it out. There's yelling, there's cheering, there's signage, there's general discontent at the length of Senator John Kerry's speech.
Exhibit B. There was not ONE question from the audience taken during the Obama event.
Exhibit C. Obama did not at any point discuss, "the frequency of press conferences, the candidate's relationship with journalists, and the power of the president to persuade." Nada. Nothing at all. What did he discuss? (Two guesses.) Ok, who guessed change and hope? You did?! Y'all are geniuses. We mean that.
In conclusion, when the good people that are CNN's viewers and the New York Times' readers checked out the news, all they saw was the campus touting Senator Obama's candidacy. This was, basically, a campaign endorsement by the College of Charleston. Maybe Gawker CHS was unaware of a homecoming-band-style vote that took place to determine this move, but we're pretty sure no one polled the audience.
We digress.
The real heart of the matter is that this bastardization of the Bully Pulpit was perpetuated last night at the Edwards rally. Gawker CHS understands that like all celebs, presidential hopefuls have a tight schedule. But if the rumors are true and Senator Obama's campaign refused to come to the College in any other forum except a rally, then we should be truly peeved, if for no other reason than it opened the door for the Edwards campaign to make better use of its audience, rally-style, than follow the rules.
We know we're grumpy, but come on, C of C. You're given the Golden Ticket of Colleges: the chance to have presidential candidates hang out on our campus. And what do you do? You blow it. You let them walk all over you. College of Charleston, you are like that maid that Naomi Campbell threw a phone at.
Go to your room and think about what you've done to the next generation of American voters.
25 January 2008
Brush with Greatness
Gawker CHS had a very promising tip that Tony-award winner Ellen Green and larger-than-life Rosie sibling Assemblyperson Danny O'Donnell would be stumping behind the Addlestone Library on the C of C campus today. Your intrepid reporter braved the cold to see what's what, and sure enough the celebs were there. However, the event, it could be said, was sparsely attended.
So sparsely in fact, that the Powers That Be from the Hillary Clinton for President campaign decided to make better use of their on-hand star power, abandoning the event and parading them through the surrounding neighborhoods, leaving disgruntled College officials behind to schlep 50 or so chairs and a lectern back from whence they came.
(N.B. If Gawker CHS lived on, say, Morris Street, and a woman in an Inuit hat came to our door saying she had won a Tony, we would say, "Sure you did," and then conclude that she was a crazy homeless. Ditto for Assemblyman O'Donnell. Frankly, your sister scares us. Just being honest.)
Now. You should be aware that Gawker CHS has seconded the emotion of the Old Gray Lady and endorsed Senator Clinton for the Democratic nominee. (Who for the Repubs? Ron Paul. We <3 blimps.) We like her a lot. Like, more than a friend. HOWEVER. Gawker CHS does not appreciate being thrown to the proverbial wolves by the Clinton Campaign mere days before our primary election. It feels a little like when Rose lets go of Jack's hand and he sinks to his icy grave.
This is Charleston, not a Florida retirement home or a Queens community college. Broadway starlets and assemblymen won't cut it here. Frankly, we don't really know what an assemblyman does. Assembles, obvy, but other than that we're stumped. So, for your next celebrity appearance, here's some suggestions: Beyonce. Jim from The Office. Literally anyone under 50.
Please, Hillary, it's not for us; it's for the future of America.
So sparsely in fact, that the Powers That Be from the Hillary Clinton for President campaign decided to make better use of their on-hand star power, abandoning the event and parading them through the surrounding neighborhoods, leaving disgruntled College officials behind to schlep 50 or so chairs and a lectern back from whence they came.
(N.B. If Gawker CHS lived on, say, Morris Street, and a woman in an Inuit hat came to our door saying she had won a Tony, we would say, "Sure you did," and then conclude that she was a crazy homeless. Ditto for Assemblyman O'Donnell. Frankly, your sister scares us. Just being honest.)
Now. You should be aware that Gawker CHS has seconded the emotion of the Old Gray Lady and endorsed Senator Clinton for the Democratic nominee. (Who for the Repubs? Ron Paul. We <3 blimps.) We like her a lot. Like, more than a friend. HOWEVER. Gawker CHS does not appreciate being thrown to the proverbial wolves by the Clinton Campaign mere days before our primary election. It feels a little like when Rose lets go of Jack's hand and he sinks to his icy grave.
This is Charleston, not a Florida retirement home or a Queens community college. Broadway starlets and assemblymen won't cut it here. Frankly, we don't really know what an assemblyman does. Assembles, obvy, but other than that we're stumped. So, for your next celebrity appearance, here's some suggestions: Beyonce. Jim from The Office. Literally anyone under 50.
Please, Hillary, it's not for us; it's for the future of America.
24 January 2008
Big Day
Not to be an overzealous poster, but we have a lot to catch up on.
First:
Mr. Bingley himself was spotted at the corner of Morris and Coming Streets on 22 January. British actor Simon Woods +1 were canvassing the neighborhood for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, and doing a damn good job of it if Gawker CHS has anything to say about it. Apparently Woods went to "uni" as they call it on that side of the pond with one Chelsea Clinton, which brings us to...
Second:
A less-awkward-than-we-remembered Chels on the College of Charleston campus, shaking hands and reminding dazed students to vote on Saturday. The highlight of the event? That would be the (male) member of the C of C "press corps" taking off his oversized white sunglasses long enough to suggest a possible question for Chelsea: "Ask her, like, what her favorite room was in the White House or whatever." Probing and eloquent. How do you do it, George Street Observer?
First:
Mr. Bingley himself was spotted at the corner of Morris and Coming Streets on 22 January. British actor Simon Woods +1 were canvassing the neighborhood for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign, and doing a damn good job of it if Gawker CHS has anything to say about it. Apparently Woods went to "uni" as they call it on that side of the pond with one Chelsea Clinton, which brings us to...
Second:
A less-awkward-than-we-remembered Chels on the College of Charleston campus, shaking hands and reminding dazed students to vote on Saturday. The highlight of the event? That would be the (male) member of the C of C "press corps" taking off his oversized white sunglasses long enough to suggest a possible question for Chelsea: "Ask her, like, what her favorite room was in the White House or whatever." Probing and eloquent. How do you do it, George Street Observer?
WELCOME!
So here it is. Gawker CHS has joined the teeming masses yearning to breath free in cyberspace.
This is a blog that fills a deep abiding need: the need to report celebrity sightings in Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America. (If you're laughing at this point you should reference the blog description. We are totally. serious. There are tens, nay hundreds, of blog-worthy celebs wandering our streets at any given moment. You have been warned.)
This is not a fluff blog to talk about our man problems (As if there were any. I mean have you met Gawker CHS?), etc. It's all business, folks. If you can't handle it, check out this guy. I hear he's great for a laugh.
So let's get down to it, shall we?
Rules:
1. Mayor Joe Riley counts as a celebrity.
2. Byron does not count as a celebrity.
3. Most likely, you are not a celebrity.
4. If you have read rules 1-3 and still think you've seen a celebrity in Charleston, South Carolina (not WV, people), feel free to offer up that information to the celebrity sighting gods.
Enjoy!
This is a blog that fills a deep abiding need: the need to report celebrity sightings in Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America. (If you're laughing at this point you should reference the blog description. We are totally. serious. There are tens, nay hundreds, of blog-worthy celebs wandering our streets at any given moment. You have been warned.)
This is not a fluff blog to talk about our man problems (As if there were any. I mean have you met Gawker CHS?), etc. It's all business, folks. If you can't handle it, check out this guy. I hear he's great for a laugh.
So let's get down to it, shall we?
Rules:
1. Mayor Joe Riley counts as a celebrity.
2. Byron does not count as a celebrity.
3. Most likely, you are not a celebrity.
4. If you have read rules 1-3 and still think you've seen a celebrity in Charleston, South Carolina (not WV, people), feel free to offer up that information to the celebrity sighting gods.
Enjoy!
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