The Amazing Race > The Racers
♥♥♥ TAR14: Mel & Michael White - Father & Son
puddin:
TELEVISION ‘Race' features amazing father-son duo
by Ross Forman
2009-02-11
A diehard fan of the award-winning reality TV show The Amazing Race, Mike White tried out last year with a fellow filmmaker—and they were accepted for the 13th season.
But then the other filmmaker got scared and withdrew from the show, leaving White without a partner for the trip around the world.
At a party, White invited a representative of the show to attend—and choose who she would like to accompany him on The Amazing Race.
She choose White's dad: 68-year-old Mel White, an openly gay clergymember, author and film director.
And so, when The Amazing Race kicks off Sunday, Feb. 15, on CBS-TV, Team White will feature the show's first gay father/son duo.
“I'm still having trouble believing that I'm on The Amazing Race. It never would have crossed my mind that,” said the elder White, who admits he was not a devout fan of the show. “Being with your son for a trip around the world, you can't ask for more than that. This can't really be compared to anything else.
“I hope this shows a fun side of me, that this person of faith also is a person of fun.”
Mel was a behind-the-scenes member of the Evangelical Protestant movement through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, writing speeches and ghostwriting books for televangelists such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Billy Graham. After years of writing for the Christian right, he came out as gay in 1994.
Mel and his partner of 27 years, Gary Nixon, were married last June in California.
So, will Mel gain fans he previously lost?
“Hmm, that's a great question. Heck, I might gain enemies,” he said, laughing.
Mike is a writer, director and actor for movies and TV, and the winner of the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for Chuck & Buck. He is single.
“They put you through so many things to get you ready [ for The Race ] ,” Mel said. “I worked out with a trainer for a couple months before The Race, and I was feeling pretty good. I was ready to race; I just didn't know how fast the others would be.
“I think my background helped. Michael decided that we weren't going to be agro [ on the show ] , meaning, aggravated. We wanted to win and we wanted to compete, but we also wanted to have fun.
“So we really enjoyed each other's company throughout the race.”
The elder White endured personal struggles on the show, knowing it might entail keeping secrets and misleading people.
“Luckily we never had to mislead anybody, but we did have to keep secrets,” he said. “At first I was a little leery about that, but once you know the rules and know that everyone is playing by the same rules, then it's fine.”
White admitted few of the other participants recognized the duo before the journey began. But Mike was spotted and asked for autographs along the way.
“As Michael said to me, ‘No matter what you've done in life, you'll only be remembered for being on The Amazing Race,' Mel said, laughing.
The new season of Race also features another gay and a lesbian participant ( on separate teams ) , so the LGBT community is represented on three teams.
“I just love to see us breaking all of the caricatures and breaking expectations; I just love to see gay people having a good time and proving to the world that we're not freaks,” Mel said.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20510
Mrs Shrek:
--- Quote from: puddin on February 11, 2009, 11:05:53 AM ---The new season of Race also features another gay and a lesbian participant ( on separate teams ) , so the LGBT community is represented on three teams.
--- End quote ---
Is the reporter getting confused about other seasons, or who are the 2 others they are referring to?
Ashe:
--- Quote from: Mrs Shrek on February 11, 2009, 03:39:25 PM ---
--- Quote from: puddin on February 11, 2009, 11:05:53 AM ---The new season of Race also features another gay and a lesbian participant ( on separate teams ) , so the LGBT community is represented on three teams.
--- End quote ---
Is the reporter getting confused about other seasons, or who are the 2 others they are referring to?
--- End quote ---
Maybe one of the sisters is a lesbian, if one of Cara & Jaime isn't.
georgiapeach:
--- Quote from: Mrs Shrek on February 11, 2009, 03:39:25 PM ---
--- Quote from: puddin on February 11, 2009, 11:05:53 AM ---The new season of Race also features another gay and a lesbian participant ( on separate teams ) , so the LGBT community is represented on three teams.
--- End quote ---
I believe Luke is gay as well.
Is the reporter getting confused about other seasons, or who are the 2 others they are referring to?
--- End quote ---
Mrs Shrek:
--- Quote from: georgiapeach on February 11, 2009, 04:58:40 PM ---
--- Quote from: Mrs Shrek on February 11, 2009, 03:39:25 PM ---
--- Quote from: puddin on February 11, 2009, 11:05:53 AM ---The new season of Race also features another gay and a lesbian participant ( on separate teams ) , so the LGBT community is represented on three teams.
--- End quote ---
Is the reporter getting confused about other seasons, or who are the 2 others they are referring to?
--- End quote ---
I believe Luke is gay as well.
--- End quote ---
I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. Any ideas which one of the ladies they are referring to?
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