Page 8 - MidWeek - June 23, 2021

8 MIDWEEK JUNE 23, 2021
Rotten
Trippin’ Out
BY CHRIS MCKINNEY
PAPAYAS
On June 10, the nation- al nightmare called Keeping Up With the
two years. I’ve been so thirsty for travel that I’ ve streamed almost all of Aerial America. I’ ve re-watched a bunch of Anthony Bourdain. I’ve read a memoir about a globe-trotting pro poker player, and written a futuristic sci-fi set in places like Osaka and the moon.
themselves in an industry that was ravaged by lockdowns. With so much on the line, it’s amazing to see as much cama- raderie as competition.
of each episode. Overall, we get the nicer side of Ramsey.
I’m currently reading a book about Australia while on an elliptical, both literally and figuratively. Fortunately, my wife is supportive. So, where should I go? There needs to be purpose to the trip, research, inspiration, or upcoming nov- el promotion. Unfortunately, in the book world, all promotion is currently done via Zoom it seems. I’m thinking about Aus- tralia as a novel set piece, but Australia’s closed. It’s odd to say a country is closed.
Kardashians finally came to an end. However, The Bach- elor and The Bachelorette trudge on. As does Survivor. This reality television trend of attempting to make the ques- tionably talented famous on the cheap isn’t going anywhere. In 2022, a not-so-new show will once again be rebooted in this cultural undertow. It’s called The Next Election Cycle.
It’s not all glum. There is good reality TV currently out there. One of my favorites, Top Chef (Bravo), is nearing the end of its 18th season. It’s set in Portland and cast with skilled chefs who have all been hit in- credibly hard by the pandemic. The stakes feel especially high this season because doing well can help these chefs reestablish
A reality show that has also recently caught my eye is Gor- don Ramsey: Uncharted (Na- tional Geographic). As with most travel chef reality shows, the fingerprints of Bourdain are all over it. This one is heavy-handed when it comes to forcing Ramsey to do ridic- ulous things (Google “pacu jawi,” and you’ ll see what I mean), but Ramsey is game, and he brings culinary gravi- tas. The guy’s got Michelin stars, and he cooks at the end
Though, not technically reality TV, sports has been therapeutic. Currently, the NBA playoffs are underway. I watched a sold-out Madison Square Garden erupt in elation when the New York Knicks won Game 2 against the Atlan- ta Hawks. I witnessed a clutch performance by Damian Lil- lard in Game 5 of the Portland Trail Blazers/Denver Nuggets series. I’ ll continue to watch the playoffs and look forward to the NFL season.
The author enjoyed the Game 5 heroics of Portland’s Damian Lillard against Denver in the NBA playoffs. AP PHOTO/JACK DEMPSEY
to recommendations. I want it to be a place that a Kardashian wouldn’t be caught dead in.
chrismckinney808@gmail.com
Maybe I’ m just grouchy because I’ve watched way too much television in 2020, and it’s already mid-2021, and I ha- ven’t left this island in almost
But, boy, I’d love to trav- el. I want to see new things beyond just two dimensions.
Where would you go for a quick trip outside Hawai‘i? I’m thinking a place I haven’t been to before. A place that doesn’t take a day to get to. I’m open
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