The Porn Star and the Evangelist Help Push Surreal Life to Success

[John]

The Porn Star and the Evangelist Help Push Surreal Life to Success
By: Scott Ross
01-18-2004


LOS ANGELES - Ron Jeremy is basking in the glow of mainstream media attention as the WB network flexes their PR arm for the Surreal Life 2, which debuted on January 11 to set network ratings records for the it’s timeslot on WB.

The show takes stars whose limelight has faded, or never really was in the case of Trishelle Canatella, whose claim to fame was appearing on The Real World: Las Vegas, and mixes them up in what, no doubt, the show’s producers hope will be an energetic dynamic.

And the Hedgehog living in the same house as evangelist Tammy Faye Messner should be energetic enough for anyone. Throw in a bitter Vanilla Ice, who now goes by Rob Van Winkle, former Baywatch babe Traci Bingham, Erik Estrada of CHIP, and Canatella and the kinetic potential of the show is endless.

For the past week Jeremy has been on a media junket to promote the show, doing interviews for People magazine, appearing on Loveline, and countless other media opportunities.

In fact, Jeremy appears to have become a focal point of the media attention. With Messner not able to attend the junket because of an illness, Jeremy is left to tell both sides of their odd pairing. A quick review of commentary on the show suggests that the opposite polarity of Messner and Jeremy is one of the most intriguing aspects of the show.

Jeremy previously told AVN.com that Messner and he got along great, and that she was a “sweetheart” and surprisingly open minded.

““I really like her a lot. She’s actually a believer in free speech. And you know she does this show, where she sings and she tells jokes at churches. Do you know that her audience is ninety-five percent gay?" he asked.

While Messner wasn’t on the junket to confirm Jeremy’s assessment of how well the polar opposites got along – on the show’s official Website, she had this to say about him: ”He's so kind, he is talented, he is very, very intelligent, and he was a schoolteacher! All that does not equal porn star.”

One stereotype down, 99 more to go.

The Surreal Life 2 airs every Sunday night a 8p.m.

Forewarning: AVN is an adult-oriented site.
http://www.avn.com/index.php?Primary...ntent_ID=69898

[Google]

 

[Wcstflyer]

With Tammy Fate Messner's passing this last Friday, it is absolutely astonishing that one of the crowning success' late in her life was this reality series, and the dichotomous casting of Tammy with Ron Hyatt (Ron Jeremy.) Even in her last hours, Larry King asked her if she was still in contact with the other cast members of the Surreal Life 2. Yes, she and Ron were still in touch! Today, several years after it aired, I still laugh with that unforgettable episode to Desert Shadows Nudist Resort in Palm Springs, epecially with the antics of Trishelle and the gang at the volleyball game, the dinner and the hot tub. Even resort owner Steve Payne looked as though he was having fun that evening in October.