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Fans of "Check Please" missed one doozy of an episode last weekend, one that perfectly encapsulated the appeal and genius of the show. The episode, which reviewed Lincoln Park raw food hot spot Karyn's Fresh Corner, Lincolnwood steakhouse Myron & Phil's, and Chicagoist 2006 favorite Haro, was spurred to must-see status by the staunch opinions and sharp tongues of retired lawyer Fred Solomon (pictured, left) and model Manase Latu (right). The stage was set when Solomon said of Haro, recommended by third panelist Olga Camargo, "the portions left a lot to be desired" and complained about not being able to share four pieces of food equally among six people. In response, Latu intimated that he thought Solomon was the type of diner who would "rather share a sub sandwich." However, the sparks between Solomon and Latu really began to fly when the focus shifted to Latu's recommendation, Karyn's.
Regarding the concept of raw food in general, and Karyn's stuffed pizza in particular, Solomon told Latu, "we found fire a couple million years ago, and I think we should use it." The camera then did a quick cut to a stunned Latu, who looked like he hadn't considered the possibility of somone not agreeing with his tastes in food. Solomon and Latu engaged in a friendly but spirited discussion about raw food as a health-conscious choice (Latu's position) versus a religion (Solomon's) in which host Alpana Singh eventually had to intercede.
When the time came to discuss Solomon's choice — and just take a wild guess at what he recommended — both Latu and Camargo said that it wasn't necessarily a place they would bring their friends, noting the large presence of seniors during their respective visits to the restaurant. Camargo said that Myron & Phil's atmosphere was "old school," to which Latu drolly added, "reaaalll." Later on, when Latu lamented about the flavor of his filet, Solomon asked why he didn't "try the green goddess salad." It was an earnest question by Solomon, but the high-pitched guffaw from Latu also indicated that he took it to be a crack at his effete demeanor. All in all, there appeared to be no harm, no foul between the two, and it made for twenty-two minutes of entertaining television. If you find it on repeat or on-demand, watch it.
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I have to hand it to Fred, though. He seemed to really hate the 2 restaurants, but when it came for him to summarize, he tried to be as positive as he could. Stay classy, Fred.
oh man. we started watching this episode on dvr this weekend and then decided to watch something else instead... we should have kept watching. good thing it's saved still!
Man... I wish comcast had this in On-Demand so I could watch it.
Can someone rip it from their dvr & post it to YouTube . . . please :)
I think Mr. Solomon would have loved Haro if the portions there were of the steakhouse variety. He did say that he loved the flavor of the food before ranting about the portions. Mr. Latu, in retrospect, was a little smug - some might say queeny - for a good part of the show, so when Solomon made the green goddess salad quip, I waited to see how Latu would react.
"Latu" was the queeniest, most over the top example of gay stereotypes I've seen on TV in a long time.
I have to agree with Jon. I could not take Latu seriously. I kept asking myself: "Is he acting?"
I third Jon and SC's comment. Latu's personality almost seemed too much like he was acting.
One of the best Check Please episodes I've seen in a long time.
I try to catch this show as much as possible, but haven't seen it in a while. So I was quite happy when I got to see this episode not once but also when they re-ran it a second time.
Imagine my surprise when I got to Chicagoist this afternoon. I recognized those two faces immediately. Highly entertaining.
Having run into my share of male models over the years, I'm not sure that was an act.
I am suprised Solomon's choicest line wasn't quoted:
"It's not cutesie food for cutesie people . . . "
Or at least something to that affect (pun intended)
jon, you hit hit it out of the park!
I thought he was ridiculous!
Since I'm not gay, do gays like him & the way he talks & moves his head?
He was hard to watch, I couldn't take anything he said seriously, what with his overdone, stereotypical swishy act.
I hope someone that actually knows him will tell us what he's like off camera.
And just what kind of model is he?
I'd certainly remember a jaw bigger than Jay Leno's in an ad.
I've been on Check Please before. Sadly, there's a ton more that happens during these wine-fueled exchanges than you get to see. I'd love to know what they cut for this particular trio.
If ever I could vote for an episode of 'Check Please: Unplugged' I think this would be the one.
Manase Latu was the most femme guy (human?) I have ever seen on TV. I loved him. He and Mr. Grayhair-steakhouse were actually quite tactful about their differing opinions. Manase suggested taking an older relative (dad, uncle) to the steakhouse, and the third panelist agreed.
And he addressed Alpana by name! extra points
That was no act, he is the real deal. I can't say I'm shocked to see him on here but I almost couldn't watch it.
"Check Please" is always at its best when:
A)It's not recommending a restaurant I like, thereby ruining it for months until the Check Please effect wears off.
B)Two (or more) people really hate each other.
There was one episode where a "poet" shot down some stockbroker's favorite place, and when it came time to review the poet's place, the passive-aggressive review the stockbroker gave the poet's place was amazing.
ssss
YES(!!!) to jon's comment.
i'm manase's little sister and i would really appreciate it if you didn't talk shit about him considering you don't even know him. knowing nothing about him you have no right to say anything about him.
I'm watching this right now OnDemand, and it's hysterical.
In Response to the gentlemen whom wanted to know what Manase is like off camera....We have been friends and co-workers for over ten years I can speak on his behalf. Manase is a classy,positive,andbeautiful young gentlemen. Unlike the gentlemen who quickly judged Manase on account of his sexual preference, he would never throw out negative comments. Always looking for the positive outlook on life he's gorgeous inside and out. Basically my point is those who judge should either 1) Take a closer look at their lives and issues.2) Spend more time focusing on themselves, not on the mannerisms or sexual preference of others.3)Maybe look deep within and realize they are the men who are on gay.com soliciting beiutiful young models. 4) Maybe just haters who are ignorant and uneducated. FYI!!!! Check please is just a little Tv program that rates restaurants and those who have time to write hateful remarks need to reaccess themselves.
To the defenders of Manase Latu:
He is without a doubt the most over the top gay man I've ever seen!
He appears to most of us to be a old time caricature of a gay man.
His name seems to be made up, especially since he mentioned Nana Fineberg a couple of times.
The way he came across was extremely distracting, his constant head movements were a flat out annoying mannerism.
I'd still like to know what kind of model he is.
I know this guy! I just shot a Land's End catalog with him, worked with Manase a few times he's a funny kid, always makes the time time fly by. Haven t seen the show, but I can imagine the things that would fly out of his mouth.
The best part about Check please, besides the hidden gems they review from time to time, is the sometimes playful and sometimes tense banter between the guests. When one person snarks on the others recommendations, they need to be prepared to take it when there own fav spot is up for review. Ole Fred wasn't open to tapas, raw food, or fun in my opinion! Manase is absolutely wonderful and hilarious. I'd like to be his Nana Feinberg and have him take me to that stodgy old steakhouse.
Manase only models in like the United airmail catalogs. I'm his second to youngest sister and I'm just sayin'. And Rachelle - if you don't have anything nice to say than don't say anything at all. You're so totes a debby downer it's not even funny. Jebus.
manase doesnt have a "second to youngest" sister.
nana feinberg is really manase's nana
manase latu is manse's real name
Man, I was feeling bad for manase until Lisa chimed in with "totes" which is the second most infurating slang since "broham".
Now I want them to be sentenced to eat at Fred's place for eternity.
ive lived in california, and ive met valley girls who were less valley girl than that guy.
if i didnt know better, id think we were all being borat-ed.
i mean, really? really?
wow. another example of how audiences lack critical discretion when it comes to viewing and comprehending what's presented on screen. they're duped by the "reality" and fail to consider that HOURS of footage are condensed to a 22 minute slot. from here they make bold assertions on the actions of others and pigeon hole them into asinine stereotypes.
of course the editors will choose the most exaggerated sequences and actions, whatever it is that can help them BUILD THE IMAGE of the lowly old timer and eccentric homosexual.
but no no, some of the audiences in tv land felt so comfortable in their couches with their chips and fed into the magic of tv programming.then they went to the internet to poorly criticize.
why?
perhaps out of boredom, perhaps out of envy. its so easy to nit pick at a young, intelligent, attractive and successful being such as manase.
you love to hate him. because he's unattainable.
he's something different and you cant quite comprehend it.
instead, clean your filters, reasses the context(s) by which you approach situations and realize that hey, your life really isn't that bad so cease hating on others. baby, it's gonna be okay.
look what I found...........www.arlenewilson.com manase is under the fashion section.
I don't hate Manase, I just find him weird beyond belief!
www.myspace.com/manaselatu, he's been in details magazine. apparently that's the kind of model he is, say what you want about his on camera antics but by the looks of his pics he is an amazing model no contest.
how does one "find" someone within the illusion of television?...let alone with only 20 mins to gauge someone.
oh i get it, you must be into gossip magazines and speed dating.
how does one "find" someone within the illusion of television? let alone with only 20 mins to gauge someone.
oh i get it, you must read gossip magazines and be into speed dating.
Sol and Manase? I think we've got a "mismatched buddy cop" movie on our hands.
"Raw food? I'm too old for this shit!!!" (Cue classic frat boy rock tune)
Cletus! thats brilliant! maybe wttw needs to give the two of them their own show. "Manase and Sol's Wild Chicago."
- they could report live from market days
- they can go fishing together, and sol can challenge manase to eat their catch raw
- manase hooks sol up with nana feinberg
oh, how id watch. are you listening, programming dept.?
ehhh... i'd rather see them fight crime.
Although things could get a little wacky on the episode where they each take the other to their favorite bath house. "Oy vey, that's not a loofah sponge!!!"
Couple things...
I saw this episode of CP and thought it was hilarious. I found Manase to be over the top, yes. Fun to watch for a few minutes, but for me he might be rather exhausting and even grating to be around for long periods of time. I believe the comments from those who know him who say he's a positive person.
Interesting, though. How old his he? His myspace.com says he's 19 yrs old. But I googled him and found him on the Jurgita modeling agency website, which lists his age as 24!
Well, kudos to Manase for stirring up so much controversy. It can only help him.
BTW, he is great looking in stills!
As for you defenders (whether ye be real sisters or not), there was a lot of anger in some of your remarks, and defensiveness, and some over-the-top assumptions as well.
I don't think anyone who has posted so far has even insinuated that they don't like gays. I think there are some who reacted negatively to Manase's mannerisms which are, admit it, found in some openly gay gay men.
Many people on TV are just as grating as I found Manase to be (at times), many of those people have stereotypical hetero mannerisms.
Okay, I'll stop.
okay.
i've already posted and this is manase's REAL sister.
1.) Manase IS his real name.
2.) I am his ONLY sister.
3.) Nana Feinberg is his friend's nana, not ours.
4.) Manase is a beautiful, amazing, smart, creative person who is way more than just a gay stereotype.
I love you Manase!Manase is a unique and genuine soul. Hes a great young man and more than a sterotype.
How can you be a model with those horse teeth? Never smile?
All of Manase's cartoonish behavior aside, I've got an unrelated question: Why does this story begin with, "Fans of 'Check Please' missed one doozy of an episode last weekend..."? Who says anyone missed it? Chuck Sudo may have thought it sounded good, for whatever reason, but it makes absolutely no sense.
i heard manase has cellulite.
Unlike the gentlemen who quickly judged Manase on account of his sexual preference, he would never throw out negative comments
I guess that depends whether or not you consider needlessly catty comments to be "negative".
I also thought that Fred was right to call Manase's proselytizing about raw food exactly what it was, "a religion". And he did it in an amazingly gracious fashion, given the condescending tone from Manase throughout the episode.
Have the comments about Manase's sexuality been negative? Is saying that he's "over the top" negative? I guess it would depend on whether we dismiss his opinions as a result. I think we may be reaching the point where one can simultaneously hold the opinion that a guy is a queen's queen, and that he's acting like a jerk, without having had one sprout from the other.
NY Expat, I can assure you that his passionate demeanor on check please was free of condescension. I have known Manase personally for two years and thought his re pore with Fred was playful at best spirited. Manase is a highly intuitive intellectual, cattiness is lost on him, if Manase is going to "crash and lash" on camera there would be no mistaking it for bitchy condescension. Manase's appearance on Check Please was reminiscent of what he is like in real life, mesmerizing and impactful. The only thing I find more fascinating than his persona, is how others respond to him. If he is reading any of these posts I can't help but giggle to think at how predictable and unoriginal he must find all of this.
NY Expat, I can assure you that his passionate demeanor on check please was free of condescension. I have known Manase personally for two years and thought his re pore with Fred was playful at best spirited. Manase is a highly intuitive intellectual, cattiness is lost on him, if Manase was to "crash and lash" on camera there would be no mistaking it for bitchy condescension. Manase's appearance on Check Please was reminiscent of what he is like in real life, mesmerizing and impactful. The only thing I find more fascinating than his persona, is how others respond to him. If he is reading any of these posts I can't help but giggle to think at how predictable and unoriginal he must find all of this.
NY Expat, I can assure you that his passionate demeanor on check please was free of condescension. I have known Manase personally for two years and thought his re pore with Fred was playful at best spirited. Manase is a highly intuitive intellectual, cattiness is lost on him, if Manase is going to "crash and lash" on camera there would be no mistaking it for bitchy condescension. Manase's appearance on Check Please was reminiscent of what he is like in real life, mesmerizing and impactful. The only thing I find more fascinating than his persona, is how others respond to him. If he is reading any of these posts I can't help but giggle to think at how predictable and unoriginal he must find all of this.
I am gay and Manase gives gay men a bad name. His affectations are so over-the-top it was embarrassing. Perhaps he is a super nice guy but he seems really annoying
Mico Mini....I am gay and I think Manase gives some gay men inspiration to be exactly who they are........You clealy have issues with sexuality as you cannot handle any sort of "in your face" personalties....However I thnk that the issue does not ly in who Manase is rather what Manase stands for.....For your information this "bad gay" has had the best ratings the show has ever had.....You SHOULD be proud.....food for thought...........
Daniel
micro mini, it's sad that you can t see how much your post showed everybody how ashamed of your self you are. when someone like manase bothers you, perhaps you should ask your self why?
Although Fred and Manu disagreed on their restaurants, and were outspoken in doing so, I didn't see any anger or hurtfulness in what either of them said. I think they sort of liked each other.
And "totes?" "broham?" I'm too old for this shit! C'mon, Manu, lets go grab a burger at the Billy Goat!
Hey, this is Manase's little brother, and I've heard that Manase is a horrible person with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Just sayin'!
what the hell does broham mean, anyway? seriously.
Best episode ever. I've been speaking like Manase for days. My favorite line, which was so overly effete was something to the effect of, "Omigoddid youtryamaindish?" in which "main" sounds like "mahhhn." Classic.
Manase was the best thing to ever happen to "Check Please" He was a breath of fresh to that show!! I loved him!
bootleg video at
www.wild-onion.org/cp.mpg
He is a nut
Can someone please youtube this? I really want to send to my friends out of state. This was the best episode of Check Please ever!!!
Dear "dear john,"
Your post, annoyingly entered in triplicate, was almost completely absurd. Should I bother to attempt to understand what "crash and lash" is supposed to mean? And I'm sure Manase would find some of these comments "predictable" and "unoriginal," because he's doubtless been called an over-the-top queen more times than either of you would like to remember. The point is that it's a fact, good or bad, right or wrong. Just because he's a cartoonish personification of the most exaggerated male homosexual stereotypes doesn't mean he's a bad person; it's simply hilarious, no matter how anyone wants to qualify it.
God bless that old dude for putting that fruit in his place. Manase should be burnt alive and served to a pack of hungry Cambodians for his despicable behavior on check please.
I am a middle-aged gay man and I thought Manase was fantastic. I watched a rerun of the episode last night -- delightfully stoned with my partner and two other gay friends -- and we screeched with laughter throughout. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Manase is a beautiful kid, totally without guile: very few people have the balls to be utterly themselves like this guy. He is a born star.
I thought Manase was very nice and thoughtful to Fred. Fred was a bit out of touch and extremely closed minded and set in his ways. Manase was very cool to Fred, he was funny but he really tried hard to be considerate to Fred.
As far as the restaurant Myron & Phil, what they said is true. My grandma always took me there and it does feel like you are in a retirment home, and the food is pretty low quality, but people like my grandma and Fred are very much set in their ways and just want what they are used to and what they understand. The portions are huge and the people there feel like they are getting a lot for their money, but with all the amazing Chicago restaurants why would anyone go there, the food is just low quality, uninteresting and the place really needs to be remodeled, it's actually kind of depressing (extremely old school).
As far as Fred, I am sure he is a very nice man, I just wish he was a little bit more open minded then he would be able to experience more of what life has to offer.
I saw this when it first aired...it IS the best episode of Check Please, by far. EVERYONE was over the top, not just Manase. I still have it saved on the DVR and watch it whenever I need a chuckle. I could watch Manase and Fred all day. Yin and Yang at it's best. "I will take you Fred, I will take you." GENIUS.
hi-LARITY! It was a truly fun and engaging episode. Why are some folks worked up? Manase was a fun, bright star while Fred was perfectly cast as his shoot from the hip counterpart. They were Siskel and Ebert all over again.
Manase's sister: Aw, don't let it getcha down - I'm sure bro can defend himself. What he should note, however, is how fabulous he is WITH Fred, not in spite of Fred. That's the genius of it.
Sidebar: I have two ab-fab gay friends (who do not yet collect Social Security!) who ADORE Myron & Phil's. Just goes ta show ya!
again, this is michaelina, manase's little sister. here's his mini bio.
he has a younger brother named michael who's married to a girl names crystal, i'm his half-sister but we don't use the term "half-sister" in our family because we are closer than most full blooded family members. we grew up in the suburbs of chicago but manase quickly moved to new york. i'm still in high school and michael moved to south carolina. manase is 24 not 19 despite what his myspace says. we call my mom "murpur" beacuse her name is mary and her last name starts with a P but i won't tell ya that one cuz then you'd know my full name. that's my family. i hope you enjoy. and if you don't, i'm really sorry that he bothered you so much on the show but i'm sure if you knew him and got to know him you'd realize what an amazing and talented guy he is.
Hands down, the strangest episode of Check Please! ever.