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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, November 19, 2004

Do city folk and manure mix?

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Don't expect many surprises from tonight's premiere of Country Music Television's "Cowboy U: Moloka'i."

First-name-only contestant Tiffany is competing for paniolo cred on cable TV's "Cowboy U: Moloka'i."

Ronen Zilberman


'Cowboy U: Moloka'i'

7 p.m. Friday

CMT (Digital cable only)

"Cowboy U: Moloka'i" is being shown only on digital channel 561. CMT shares analog time with Spike TV.

The reality show, set this season at venerable Moloka'i Ranch, pits five Mainland couples against each other in a competition to see who can adapt best to the rough-and-tumble life of the island cowboy.

Expect the requisite archetypes — including the pampered spa princess, the overbearing jerk, the over-his-head goof, the yakkity ethnic chick — led by the appropriately gruff, Rocco "I'm gonna have a stroke" Wachman.

Week 1 proceeds much as any regular TV viewer would expect as the city slickers have their illusions of cushy island paradise dashed by uncooperative horses, belligerent cows, and a biblical infestation of frogs in their living quarters.

There are the expected crying fits, some rising tempers, a beefcake/cheesecake interlude at the beach, and mucho macho posturing throughout.

In other words, classic reality TV.

While the composition of the group might seem a tad contrived, the challenges the contestants face as Wachman and bull rider Judd Leffew try to teach them basic cowboy skills is painfully real.

The contestants have two weeks of cowboy boot camp to master horse survival skills, bull riding and calf roping before a grueling trail ride and final rodeo challenge that will decide who goes home with the $25,000 prize.

Wachman, a lifelong admirer of legendary Kalaupapa priest Father Damien, was instrumental in bringing to the show to Moloka'i.

As the season progresses, Uncle Jimmy Duvauchelle, a fourth-generation paniolo and head manager of Moloka'i Ranch, will play a vital role in teaching the tenderhides the unique ways of cowboys in the Islands.

The couples on "Cowboy U: Moloka'i" hail from cities across the United States. Bill and Annette from Sacramento, Calif., have been married for eight years; Eric R. and Yancy from Miami, Tom and Sandra of Kentucky and Eric D. and Tiffany of Chicago had all been dating for two years.

Lance from Akron, Ohio, and Vicky from Seattle were dating for eight months when the show was taped but — no surprise to anyone who watches the first episode — have since broken up.