Posted on 06/28/2005 1:41:29 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
Gail Shister | This time on 'Today,' that wedding just might be gay
By Gail Shister
Inquirer Columnist
It could be "Here come the brides" on Today. Or grooms.
For the first time in its six-year history, Today's annual wedding contest is open to same-sex couples, NBC rep Allison Gollust confirmed yesterday.
Here's why: Previous winners' nuptials took place in New York or, last year, Anguilla. Gay marriage is not legal in either locale. For this year's event, the ceremony will be held in the winning couple's hometown.
In Massachusetts, for example, same-sex marriage is now legal, which means gay and lesbian couples there can qualify to compete for the all-expenses-paid, soup-to-nuts wedding and honeymoon, as selected by viewers.
Entries and rules for "Today throws a hometown wedding" can be found on today.msnbc.com. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on July 5. The wedding is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 16 on Today.
Goal for the annual Today event has always been to have the winning couple get legally married on the show, Gollust says. Responding to increased pressure from gay advocacy groups, Today changed its policy last week.
Under the old rules, each couple had to consist of a male and female. Gender references have been dropped in the new rules.
The contest is open only to "currently engaged couples, who are legal residents of the United States currently residing in the continental U.S." Each member of the couple must be at least 21 as of June 13, when Today began accepting entries.
Today "is not taking a stand for or against same-sex marriage," Gollust says. "We're just clarifying the rules based on new developments in the law. Anyone who can legally get married should be able to participate."
NBC received almost 2,500 entries for last year's series. Over 12 weeks, every detail of the wedding of Kentuckians Buddy Butler and Nikki Hensley was determined by viewers' weekly votes on the Internet. On Nov. 19, more than six million watched the lovebirds exchange vows on Anguilla in the Caribbean.
Gollust denies thatToday'swedding event is a ratings stunt, even though the '04 ceremony ran during sweeps.
"It's become an annual tradition that is both informative and entertaining," she says. (Cue laugh track
They wouldn't be able to let the masses make the decisions on flowers, clothing, etc. HA!
NBC is a joke, like the other networks they all suck, never watch never will.
It'll probably be hosted by the Fag Five.
This will help the ratings for sure, both of the today show fans may tune in at the same time.
To act like it is not a publicity stunt is just plain stupid on her part. Honesty pays off..why not just admit it and say "yeah of course it is...we are in a ratings war here"?
It's a great idea, now more people can see how the other 1/2 % lives. We must stay open and include all types of different folk into the great melting pot. Kinda of like Twister for the Masses. This show should have Kerry, Barney Frank, Hillary and Degeneres as the voting panel. I can't wait for the first rating numbers. Someplace between The Gong Show and Bowling for Dollars. Please, no offense meant to bowlers.
Imagine, just imagine if some HOMOSEXUAL pair win and our children see this on the tube. Even if we explain how wrong it is in God's eyes, there will be that seed of doubt instilled.
"today show" just became the first all homosexual morning program.
considering what homosexuals do to each other, there is no place for homosexuality on ANY morning show.
Homosexuality is only about sex.
This is sick.
Whatever wedding planners or suppliers contribute that abomonation should be boycotted and avoided by all straight brides.
Naked
Buttkissing on
Camera
That's what NBC will stand for with this wedding. I will be surprised if a heterosexual couple wins.
Thankfully, I parted ways with NBC years ago. The "perky" Couric smile in the morning was enough to make me barf. (It was a really yucky toothy smile and nothing that came out of her mouth made much sense.) In fact, I didn't watch Deborah Norville or Jane (Doonesbury) either. Come to think of it, the last time I watched the Today show, Hugh Downs was still co-hosting with Barbara Walters--and Jack Paar was still doing the tonight show. This network has really gone downhill.......
If the wedding attire is selected by audience, wonder Which "partner" will wear the gown, and which will wear the Tux?
I can't stomach Couric for 30 seconds.
later ping?
It is a publicity stunt to be sure, but it is one that also allows them to push their far-left cultural ideology and agenda on their audience of millions. So they get to kill two birds with one stone.
Good taste would require that they don't allow any of these gay 'marriages' to even make it to the part where people start voting, but I think its a safe bet that at least one will. I'm sure there will be an oft repeated chorus call of how this couple is just like any other, with the implication of course being that the law should be changed (by judges) to reflect that.
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