11/17/2004
Manhunt Update: Calendar Girls
This week Manhunt escapes to beautiful Puerto Rico and the Hotel Paradisus, a lovely all-inclusive resort where the Eurotrash flows and the Nair for Men runs freely.
Cheering their good fortune, the models engage in tequila shots and cocktails. Hunter abstains, intent on preserving his sobriety for the hard modeling work ahead, and looks on with envy. Among the challenging tasks on tap for the boys this week are a swimsuit calendar and a swimwear fashion show out at the hotel pool.
The calendar shoot on the beach puts our favorite gay boy Rob out of his element from the beginning. More the high fashion type, next to the tanned Abercrombie clones Rob cowers like a pale, hairless Gazelle, separated from the herd and forced into the water by predators bearing cameras.
Rob's ultra-sensitive eyes can't bear the Puerto Rican sun and even he knows his photos aren't his sexiest. Embedded model Kevin Peake, meanwhile, impresses the photographer, who asks, "So just how long have you been a swimsuit calendar model?" Peake cackles deliriously and replies, "Oh about three hours."
Peake asks the photographer to "shoot up at his tits" so they'll look bigger. Peake's cockiness gets more attractive or more abhorrent every episode, depending on your level of physical attraction to him. He's one arrogant son of a bitch. But at least he's not doing desperate push-ups in the bushes.
Turns out the swimsuit calendar competition has a twist. The models will compete to sell calendars. A kiosk area is set up in the hotel, monitored by hidden cameras, where Hotel Paradisus guests can buy the calendars they like.
This inspires animated reactions from the models, as they watch customers shopping from an undisclosed area. One woman looks at Maurice's calendar and says, "Oooh, Vin Diesel," which prompts never-before-seen actual emotion from Maurice (and subtitles!). "Hey homie, I ain't no Vin Diesel wanna be," says the normally restrained competitor. Hey, what's wrong with Vin? A little too light on the feet? Guess being a Bravo reality show contestant is really a much better option than multi-million dollar movie contracts.
This competition also gives a chance for Bravo to show off what we can only assume is a preview for the Manhunt video game featuring scoring icons of all the models. (I get to be Rob!)
As dozens of females fawn over the calendars, lo and behold along comes a Friend of Dorothy whose unflinching gaydar directs him with pursed lips to Rob's calendar. Is this a nod to Manhunt's gay audience or simply a lesson that even in Puerto Rico they can swish like the best of 'em.
Surfer Jon Jonsson wins the calendar competition meaning he gets first choice of outfits for the poolside fashion show, choosing a pair of (surprise!) surf jams. Rob, who came in dead last despite his homosexual fan ends up left with a skanky pair of spandex boxer briefs. The boys are all impressed by Kevin Peake's bold choice of the lone red Speedo ("I'll take this just to show these guys who's got balls here."), but we could see the jealousy in Hunter's eyes when he pulled that pair out of the running. No thongs unfortunately.
Model Bruce Hulse gives the boys some words of encouragement. "When you go out there, you wanna own that space. Bring your presence, your inner chi, your mojo."
Jon Jonsson impresses the judges as they watch at the pool's edge. Says Hulse, "He's got a manly walk. He's not sashaying his hips like some of these guys are."
Yet soon the fashion show turns ugly. After Peake does a backflip into the water off the runway, his antics quickly induce others to follow suit. Of course, Hunter needs little encouragement to turn his performance into an all-out Chippendale's extravaganza, complete with gyrating hips, splits, and armpit love. Welcome Hunter's "inner chi", straight from the Backstreet Dance Club in Little Rock.
So how does one follow that performance? Nervous Rob, dressed in what can only be described as leftover pimp attire, comes out next having a sort of flamenco meltdown, looking as comfortable as a deer at an NRA convention. Rob, you're still our favorite.
Finally, it's time for someone's last shot. Hunter and Rob find themselves in danger after their inappropriate displays at pool Paradisus. "You're showing designer clothing, not doing a burlesque show, " Hulse tell Hunter, then turning to Rob for the kill. "In 25 years of modeling I have never seen such an appaling display of runway work. You came out there, you started dancing. You're not a dancer. It was wretched. You are not Kevin Peake, you never will be." [Ed. note — ouch.]
Rob skulks away as embedded model Kevin Peake, or, as we're now calling him, Bruce Hulse's Mini-Me, comes to offer his professional modeling opinion, giving the thumbs up to Rob and perhaps saving him from the male model remainder bin.
Ultimately, the show's result leaves Carmen Electra gasping and Hunter crying. The boy from DeQueen gets cut. We sincerely hope that Hunter uses his experience to go after his dreams and doesn't end up dancing on the bar at Mickey's in West Hollywood. And we apologize for the continuous grief we've offered him. He just made it way too easy.
Past updates:
[Big Boys Don't Cry]
[Anyone Want Some Wood?]
[Attack of the Clones]
[A Rope to Hang Me With]
[Bitch Fest]
[Let's Play [With] Ball[s]]
Posted 8:09 PM EST by Andy Towle in Fashion Men, Film & TV | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Hey, Andy...I'm really going to miss this weekly update once the show is over.
Again-you rock!!
Posted by: ROY | Nov 17, 2004 9:21:42 PM
You state: "Rob, you're still our favorite." He's not mine. With Hunter gone we drop from the "gorgeous" category into the "acceptably handsome" area: two semi-bald dudes who have limited demand in the advertising world...be serious. If advertisers want an Afr-Amer, then Maurice is their man. If they want a fem/soft look, then it's Rob. Jon has that all-purpose "white-bread" look & is handsome...but really has no drive/determination to be a career model. But those are the choices. Hunter, who admittedly tried too hard, will be snapped up by another modeling agency & have a long career if he controls the bump & grind routine. End of story.
Posted by: JOHN | Nov 17, 2004 9:24:10 PM
I must say that I agree with John. I thought certainly Hunter's looks and modeling potential would beat out his "inner stripper" (or outer as the case may be). Anyway, now my vote is for Rob. And damn Kevin Peake and his endearing, charming smile and good looks! His arrogance is staggering but damn it all...
Posted by: Rob | Nov 17, 2004 11:22:23 PM
Damn it! I missed the show this time. Thank god for your run down.
Something curious appeared in my mailbox today an UnderGear catalog (same company that produces the ultra cheesy West Hollywood nightmare clothing catalog, International Male)starring Mr Kevin Peake in many homoesque poses. This is the imbedded model? Oh please.
Posted by: orbicon | Nov 17, 2004 11:47:55 PM
Personally, i think Hunter is mad s3xy with his attitude!, but he just doesnt have the class/maturity i think he should have..
On the other hand, I felt soo bad for Rob :( these past few challenges just havn't been his thing..i loved him in the toilet paper though!! Oh and kevin peake is SO HOT!!
Posted by: Ross | Nov 18, 2004 12:11:42 AM
Poor Hunter. Poor stupid, redneck, delusional Hunter. He definitely ties with Kevin as the contestant I'd most like to poke, but he's such a friggin' DORK. And the boy is gayer than a picnic on a Sunday afternoon.
Posted by: Jake | Nov 18, 2004 12:25:56 AM
Scanned some photos of Kevin Peake from an International Male catalogue at Lavender Lounge Blog:
http://www.lavenderlounge.com/blog/archives/2004/11/manhunt_on_brav.html
Posted by: Lavender Lounge Blog | Nov 18, 2004 1:45:31 AM
Your commentary gets better and better every week. Smart and witty without being completely condecending and moronic. Kudos for staying with this..some of your best stuff....While I will miss Hunter Dequeen..oops..from dequeen...my favorite...I will truly lament that only two more episodes of this Haggend Daz of flesh remain.
Posted by: HUSTLERWHITE | Nov 18, 2004 2:11:41 AM
I can't believe I missed this episode!
Thanks Andy for the great recap!
Thinking about it, coming down to the top 10 (or even 5), they'll all probably be able to get a modelling career started one way or another.
Epilogue:
Rob and Jon will tie for first place. =)
Jon will appeal to the masses with his good looks, turning down A&F (because of their discriminatory hiring practices) to do a super-hot campaign with Hollister.
Rob will have a less intense career, ending up modelling for internet ads such as Justus Boys or Tropical Resort for Men.
Maurice will remind people of Vin Diesel (and how one really is enough) and have a career like a less gorgeous version of Tyson Beckford.
And like a breast enhancement gone wrong, the implant will be extracted and left to do mail-order catalogues. (oh wait.. this has already happened.)
Posted by: jase | Nov 18, 2004 10:30:34 AM
It is for to sigh that my Hunter is now gone. I I shall miss you baby. [sniff] I agree with John above as well, Hunter was/is devastatingly handsome (along with my real fav KP!). I don't understand what anyone sees in Jon. Oh well.
Check out the exclusive interview on OUT.com with Rob, Ron and gay John about their time on the show (and John's hint that several other boys decided not to be out on the show).
I dare say that Maurice was throwing the mixed race card with his Vin Diesel statement in the context provided above (I didn't see the show, no bravo in Durham, NC and don't have the tape yet). Hmmmmmm.
Posted by: TeKay | Nov 18, 2004 10:44:45 AM
Manhunt...huh? What gay rock have I been hiding under? It seems that I've been out of touch with my beefcake reality and, thankfully, Andy is here to recap it all. And from what I can see, Rob sort of resembles a younger Tom Ford (who I find incredibly sexy).
Posted by: Corin | Nov 18, 2004 11:16:16 AM
This show is such self-deluded himbo heaven! I missed the show this week, damnit, but will watch the repeat on Saturday. I'll also miss Hunter for his looks, although not his pathos generating closety comments. This boy clearly has major sexualy identity issues stemming from his family/community background. I actually find it a little painful to watch this sexy 20 year old struggling with the fears of family and peer rejection....a reminder of 20 years ago about how challenging it can be to come out (completely, not just to gay friends--or patrons of a Little Rock gay bar).
On a happier note, I'm still loving Jon Jonsson, regardless of what those creeps Kevin and Bruce say!
Posted by: Scotto | Nov 18, 2004 11:20:29 AM
Ok....let's not try to guess who on this show is going to make it as a "TOP" model and who isn't. To be blunt, I think that ALL of the models who appeared on this cheesy show now have a mark against them professionally. The IMG modeling contract is just for a year and surely just a token contract as well. The agency just gets lots of publicity out of it. The female version of this show "America's Next Top Model" has had two winners under their belt already and neither girl can be considered a "Top Model" or is a household name. Manhunt is not going to be bringing us any top male models either. Though the show has some very attractive men, only a few of them will actually make it in the business long term. We already have a contestant from this show who has done porn, so God only knows what some of these other guys have hidden in their closets. But...I do so hope ROB wins and Hunter comes out of the closet ! lol
Posted by: Patrick | Nov 18, 2004 11:45:41 AM
You all miss the bigger point. The white man is going away. He is no longer needed anywhere.
Hunter is gone. Kevin can not win because he is the imbedded model. So only one white man left, Rob. He will be next to go leaving two brown men, Maurice and Jon. Jon will win.
A good lesson in diversity for you guys. Bye bye white man.
Posted by: Carlos | Nov 18, 2004 12:32:29 PM
Hehe, Jon is Icelandic, isn't that white? How about Bjork?
Posted by: David Michael | Nov 18, 2004 1:21:23 PM
i simply am flummoxed that they left Hunter go. even tho i don't particularly care for him (his closeted, seemingly homophobic feelings, his abstinence from alcohol because he comes from a "small town"), i was sure he'd be the winner because like it or not, he can turn it on for the camera. he has "it" (or something very close to "it"). Rob -whom i find very attractive- is just not that versatile. he's too thin/femmy (that toilet paper shoot was ridiculous! and then the judges say that Hunter lacks masculinity... i couldn't believe it!!)
Maurice is one dimensional statue. he doesn't smile well nor does he emote without smiling. Jon, well he's managed to take some pretty good pictures but he's shorter than the rest and doesn't seem to have the drive. i'd say he places #2.
they should have let kevin peak go at this point to put the fear of Jesus in the remaining four models that even someone as good looking as him wasn't safe. besides, what else can he do? as the finalists dwindle it's obvious he's not going to be the winner!
thank god they god rid of the boring drunk Tate! he was the worst!
Posted by: dr. theopolis | Nov 18, 2004 1:57:43 PM
Add me to the guys who thought Hunter was definitely the hottest contestant - I mean the jeans photo where he is drenched in water (!!!). Looking back at all the finalists, I can't believe that we are down to the final three (minus KP) and they are Maurice, Jon J, and Rob. When the embedded model is by far the hottest one and his resume consists of the undergear catalog and a background shot in A&F Quarterly, then what can be expected of the other guys? I've got 10 bucks that agrees with whoever suggested it will be billboards for gay dot com and advertisements for clothing optional resorts. Jon J is one dimensional, Rob is so boring, and Maurice flat out has no business on the show. Hunter was the one who made the show fun to watch, I imagine the next two episodes to be snoozefests - but as long as KP is going to be flashing those rock candy abs around, you can bet I'm not cancelling my TiVo season's pass.
Posted by: Dan | Nov 18, 2004 3:32:43 PM
One thing. Peake didn't say "shoot up at his tits" he said boobs. "shoot up at my boobs so they'll look bigger", I did a spit-take with my cosmo.
Posted by: Tom | Nov 19, 2004 1:28:00 PM
I've always thought it would be a threeway (battle) between Jon, Hunter and Rob...
Posted by: Glenn | Nov 21, 2004 6:06:13 AM
The way Kevin Peaks sounds when he talks reminds me a little of Brad Pitt. Speaking of Brad, my friend met him and told me that he has chronic Body Odor. I have no idea why I am typing that in but I thought someone may find that interesting. Regarding the show Manhunt, I am also very disapointed that Hunter was let go. It should have been Maurice because his demeanor is like that of a manaquin. Vin Diesel? Yeah, right, and he took that as an insult. Can you believe his arrogance? One of the earlier posts on this page by Carlos states that Jon is a black man. Am I missing something? He sure looks white to me. Besides I think he is from Iceland. lol
Posted by: SternEdwards | Nov 22, 2004 3:35:53 PM
Carlos said "brown man", not "black man". Learn to read. This interview in Santa Cruz newspaper (link below) says Jon is part Icelandic and part Thai:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2004/November/29/local/stories/03local.htm
Since when is part Thai guy white? When you keep mixing then the original thing is going away. David Michael above say "Jon is Icelandic, isn't that white?". I say Jon is part Thai. Isn't that brown?
Like I predicted, Jon win because the white man is going away. Bye bye.
Posted by: Carlos | Dec 3, 2004 6:44:07 PM
Always nice to see race fear remarks on a gay site. It's kinda like reading how gay men are going to bring humanity down by not breeding. Am I the only one here missing something? Or are you all okay with this?
Posted by: bug | Jan 8, 2005 12:44:19 PM
I think it's a little bit cheesy N i's kind of boring ...
Hahaha ......I hate hunter very very much coz he thinks dat he is perfect N hot ...Boy ..what a pin ass..
I prefer Rob to win but Jon take the money instead of Rob ...ahha ...
But i prefer US next top Model than Man Hunt ..Coz not much emmotion there N to much drama in MANHUNT ..so lame ...:(
Posted by: DeLL | Feb 12, 2005 3:11:52 AM
Hi
I just want to asked you something,i happan to be part manhunt international in my contry Ghana and is the frist ever in wast africa.That was just february 19th 2005 and i was pick for the frinal which we are yet to be tould when it will come on.
I just want to know the kine of Qu they will be asking and what i know to know.
Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
Nana Addo
Posted by: Benjamin Nana Adddo Asiedu | Feb 21, 2005 7:51:36 AM
hey i just wanted to say that manhunt is the most excitin show thats been on since bachelor and the MEN IN THERE LIKE WOW KEVIN PEAKE LIKE CAN MEN LOOK LIKE THAT HERE IN CANADA MMMMMM ANYWAYS!!!!!!!! I BRING THIS SHOW BACK AGAIN AND THERE ARE ALOT OF WOMEN OUT HERE THAT WOULD AGREE WITH ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: michelle | Mar 22, 2005 11:29:30 PM