Archive through July 01, 2003
TV ClubHouse: Archive: Road Rules - South Pacific (ARCHIVES):
Archive through July 01, 2003
Corriecat | Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 03:58 pm     Found this article about Donnell by accident today. JUNE 11--A Boston man facing a domestic violence charge was cast anyway by MTV in the network's current "Road Rules" series, The Smoking Gun has learned. Donnell Langham, 21, was arrested last July for assault and battery after allegedly striking his teenage girlfriend and throwing her to the ground and dragging her several feet. According to a police report, cops saw "significant bruising" on 5' 3" Erin Soper's "arms, back, and legs." As a result of the incident, a District Court judge signed a restraining order barring Langham, 5' 6", 200+ pounds, from contacting or going near the girl. Months after the incident, Langham was tabbed for the 12th installment of MTV's popular "Road Rules" show, which was lensed this spring in the South Pacific and had its network premiere on May 26. In April, weeks after filming ended and Langham returned to Massachusetts, he was again arrested for assaulting Soper as well as violating the July 2002 protection order. According to police, Langham argued with the teenager and grabbed her throat for "about five seconds." When police arrived, they noted in a report, red marks were still visible on Soper's throat area. Langham is scheduled to face trial this summer on both misdemeanor cases and could face a maximum of two-and-a-half years in jail if convicted. In a TSG interview, Langham said he told "Road Rules" producers that he had a rap sheet and that, "they said nothing." An MTV spokesman did not return messages left by a TSG reporter. Along with the July 2002 bust, Langham had one other pre-MTV arrest. He was nabbed in December 2001 after security at a local mall stopped him for "yelling and swearing" on the property. Police determined that he had previously been legally banned from the mall and charged him with trespass. The misdemeanor case was dismissed last month after Langham paid court costs. Regarding the first assault arrest, Langham said the couple argued because, "I wouldn't sleep with her because I was drunk and exhausted." But he denied assaulting Soper and said she suffered no injuries--despite what the police report says. He also denied choking her during the April 2003 incident, adding that a cop, "made her write the statement." Despite the incidents, Langham told TSG he is still dating Soper, though their relationship is "dysfunctional." But he acknowledged that one motive for staying together was to boost his chances at trial: "I kinda gotta also be with her to drop the charges. After this is all over I'm done with her." He concluded, "I won't do jail time on these. Community service and counseling is offered, but I'm not guilty so I won't take a deal." |
Seamonkey | Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 04:26 pm     Sigh. Sounds like a temper I wouldn't want to be confined with in such tiny quarters.. |
Cjr | Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 08:13 am     I hope he gets the max jail term. It doesn't sound like he feels bad or wants to change. He won't even admit it so he can get anger management and counseling. Maybe the girlfriend can grow up and learn a few things in the meantime. |
Seamonkey | Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 10:57 am     The Smoking Gun on Donnell Go there for his mugshot and more. The odd thought I had was that at least the girlfriend was safe while he was on the show  |
Grooch | Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 10:59 am     Seamonkey, what I don't get is that he told MTV about his rap sheet and he says they didn't even care. |
Seamonkey | Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 11:25 am     I suspect that what he told them wasn't the whole story and unfortunately I also think they didn't care enough to look into it Plus, some of this happened after he got back home. |
Muse | Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:58 am     Alright, so I can't stand Donnell anymore. His treatment of Abram is uncalled for (and made worse by the fact that he thinks it's funny), and his rap sheet just makes me think that much less of him. What exactly is his problem? Yuck. Abram is still obnoxious, but I did think he made some effort to improve his behavior. Maybe when he grows up he'll be more tolerable. I can't say I really blame him for wanting to punch Donnell at times. I'd feel the same way. I'd exercise self-control and not do it, of course, but I can see why the impulse might be there. I really like Christena except for one scene -- where she taunted the warrior and threw coconuts. Even as a joke, I thought it was annoying. I suppose it'd be okay if the guy was encouraging it...we sure didn't see that on-camera, though. I thought it was sweet how she reached out to Abram. Mary Beth is okay. She needs to ease up on trying to "change" Abram, however. Dave apparently wasn't very exciting on the show. We never see much of him. Cara is Donnell's little sidekick. Her immaturity is showing by how she just goes along with whatever he does. I don't particularly like her. |
Laura11103 | Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 12:22 pm     Oh my god, I just read the above post about Donnell.... funny because after watching last night's show I was disgusted by his immature behavior, now I see he really is a danger. I was wondering if they would just throw a few challenges just to get rid of this idiot. He completely hindered their challenge yesterday by being slow and then bitching that they didn't tell him what was going on, he must be RESPECTED! The guy is the biggest idiot and I think they're all realizing it. He's so easy to figure out, he needs to be the center of attention by acting funny funny funny and tearing others down (Abram), but as soon as the tables are turned (like when the girls were teasing him), suddenly nothings funny and he's about to blow up. I so hate this guy and see that all the girls are going to soon, including Cara. I was totally offended when Abram was talkiing to the group and behind his head Donnell was flapping his hand (like he's talking to much), a total attempt to tear down Abram. I could go on all day about this guy but you all get my point. As for Abram, well he's obviously got issues as well, but he's much more controllable than Donnell. Abram's issues are obviously woman-related, he doesn't respect women the way he should. Funny how this season has more women than men. These women sure have their hands full with this group. At least Dave is somewhat normal, but then he drove them crazy when he was buried in that coffin and couldn't give decent directions. So far Abram seems to be very smart and very good at all the missions, he saved the coffin mission and I was totally impressed with how easily he found Dave when the girls couldn't. This will obviously be an explosive season, should be fun! |
Texasdeb | Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 04:25 pm     I believe Abram will end up respecting women more after this whole thing. The girls should be very proud if/when this happens. They have worked w/him for the most part on the prob. when they could have avoided him & treated him with pure hatred. Abram will come around! (at least I hope he does because I like him). Donnell, on the other hand, needs a good a$$ kicking & this bunch just may be the ones to do it. |
Wilsonatmd | Friday, June 20, 2003 - 03:49 pm     Here's a spoiler on a future mission..... Normally, the cast would do a mission against the current Real World cast (in this case, the Paris crew). However, because of logistics problems, they didn't do that this year. Instead, they brought in the cast members of last year's Road Rules (including the one who was voted off) to play against them. |
Sweetbabygirl | Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 11:18 am     This show is dragging along, can't wait for the first vote-off. A few observations.... Donnell - Phew! Read the Smoking Gun article, and this man is a ticking time bomb. His girlfriend needs to run, don't walk. Abram - Didn't feel one bit sorry for him. After all the smack he was giving the ladies, he more than deserved what he got coming to him. If you can't stand the heat dude.... Cara - Still annoys me to no end. Dave - Yummy, yummy, yummy! Christena - Reminds me of Freddie from A Different World. |
Sweetbabygirl | Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 11:22 am     Forgot one thing....how in the HELL did these kids beat out that strong island man? I smell serious set-up! |
Puttergirl | Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 12:18 pm     I thought at the time it looked like he was letting them win the last two. It seemed when they started making fun of him he almost told them that!!! |
Muse | Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:59 pm     Yep, Abram's definitely seems less annoying now that we're seeing more of Donnell. Abram tries to understand why people get upset with him, occasionally "gets it" (maybe ), and does make attempts to change. Donnell does none of these things. Abram also is a strong competitor in the missions. I feel like he uses them to get attention (making fun of the strong man, his expressions in the coffin, etc) at times, but I don't mind that when he's also doing great and being very supportive to those who need it (*ahem* -- Donnell in particular). I like contestants who put all their effort into the missions. I just feel that if they signed up for the show, they should be relatively committed to the whole thing, including the different challenges and tasks. Many aren't (especially on the RW/RR Challenges, but sometimes on RR too -- so far I haven't seen that on this season, but Abram in particular seems to be putting 110% in). Anyway, somehow I have the feeling that I'll side with Abram when he and Donnell apparently fight next week. But we'll see. And I've decided that Dave's a cutie. It's kind of refreshing to see nice, normal flirting (Dave and Mary Beth) on a reality show, too. No doubt it'll either fizzle out or become a big overdramatic mess, but for now I'm likin' it. |
Alisons | Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 09:41 am     I actually LIKE Abram, or maybe I am just getting soft in my old age. Mary Beth and Cara seem to get upset about not being taken seriously, but after all, one posed for Playboy and the other one went to college for three years with three different majors, so it's not like this show is a rocket scientist convention. And Donnell is ridiculous - time to go, pal! |
Laura11103 | Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 11:47 am     Muse, ITA about Abram. He's amazing at the missions. When he was able to find Dave in the coffin mission, he had me. Everyone else was pannicking and about to give up but Abram kept his cool and found Dave. As Abram said in last night's show, whether he likes you or not is irrelevant to the mission, he will do what he has to to get his team through it. They are all carrying Donnell, he's just bringing them down. Yep, that fight looks nasty next week, hopefully someone will be sent home (Donnell...) |
Muse | Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:31 am     If Abram actually touches Donnell (which I'm guessing he does, although it just shows him lunging at him in the previews), I'm assuming he'll go home. Those are the rules, right? I doubt that Donnell would try to convince the producers keep Abram in, either. My only hope is that if Abram attacks Donnell, Donnell also pushes him to it *and* fights back. Because then he could go home, too. I'd rather see that than him staying and gloating over Abram going. And hey -- if both go, there's two of the rumored three people kicked off this season. |
Muse | Monday, June 30, 2003 - 07:45 pm     Okay, Abram is clearly going home. Donnell isn't. I was disgusted by both of their behavior in the most recent episode, but especially Donnell's. Abram is overly reactive (and needs to work on anger management issues big time), but Donnell was just plain manipulative. I don't buy the "he just came at me" stuff when Abram made it *clear* that he was at his breaking point, and repeatedly had to be stopped from hitting him. Donnell just kept baiting him. The sad thing is that I think being on Road Rules might have been a really good experience for Abram. I think he's capable of change because he's willing to put the effort in (see his attempts to talk to Donnell during their fight), or at least reflect back on his behavior/attitudes and try to understand why they affect people the way they do. He's a racist and chauvinist and angry and all that nasty stuff, but I think he's capable of being better if he has the right help. People like Dave and Christena (especially Christena) could have been a postive influence. Plus there's the whole fact that Cara and Donnell *were* simply awful to him. Mary Beth wasn't as bad, but even she should think about how some comments might be hurtful to others, even if that person seems like a tough jerk who can handle it. And in case I haven't made it abundantly clear already, I Dave.  |
Grooch | Monday, June 30, 2003 - 08:43 pm     Muse, I totally agree with your post above. |
Avrey258 | Monday, June 30, 2003 - 10:11 pm     Especially knowing what we know about Donnell and his own "alleged" problems with violence. I don't condone Abram's behavior in the least but I did feel that Donnell and Cara kept up the pressure on Abrham by egging him on. Unless I missed something? I understand the need to put Abram in his place when he says something sexist/racist but to constantly harp on it for weeks on end is a bit much. As much as most of his views disgust me, it would have been better to sit down with him and say "look, this is not acceptable to me, let's talk about it". He's probably gone and will leave bitter and angry, not learning anything at all. I really applaud Christina trying to influence Abram, (which couldn't have been easy) in a positive way. She took the time to be kind and draw him out, yet at the same time she let him know that his some of his views were not appropriate. |
Monkeyboy | Monday, June 30, 2003 - 10:29 pm     Im sorry, this is afwul, but I kept screaming at the TV for Abram to hit Cara too. Snotty brat. |
Seamonkey | Monday, June 30, 2003 - 10:42 pm     Abram had plenty of problems but they basically harrassed him.. almost daring him to feel more strongly, or almost proving him right, when most of them want to prove him wrong, or get him to grow. Donnell, I believe, was actively working for a blowup. I think he was well aware that Abram would never be sent home for being a liability if they failed a mission (that the failure of the mission would not be because of Abe).. and that he, Donnell, had a high probability of being seen as a liability (and in fact, without the others pushing/dragging him, he'd have lost them a mission already).. so this is Donnell's way of saving his own a$$ while getting his biggest competition booted. I find Donnell's use of the gay harrassment on Abram just as bad as, no, worse than any homophobia Abe might harbor. Abe comes to those feelings through ignorance.. supposedly Donnell is the accepting one, yet he uses "gay" as a slur and a taunt.. which makes him worse in my book. Again, Abe's racism, if there, seems also to be out of ignorance and lack of exposure. I don't know if he could learn and change, but I think Donnell's actions (which I find as using the race card to intensify any racist feelings that might be there.. well, Donnell isn't trying to promote communication. I haven't liked Abe, but after this episode, I like Donnell way less. And that isn't taking into consideration the abuse allegations before AND after he was on this show. What sucks is you just know that MTV is just salivating at the idea of bringing them back for a challenge |
Laura11103 | Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 08:36 am     I agree with the above comments. I freakin hate Donnell, he knew what he was doing <sd> He talks down to Abe, he has no intention of ever actually hearing what Abe's trying to say. I think Donnell was surprised he actually finally got hit, I was so freakin happy watching Abe punch him out, I wish he had actually hurt him. Okay, I know that's wrong, but boy was Donnell asking for it. Abe tried to be constructive, but Donnell is destructive, and doesn't care. I hope when they watch the tape, they see it how it really was. Also, why didn't Dave have anyhing to add when they were all discussing it? From the looks of the previews, they let Abe stay, and then of course Donnell gets all crazy and pissed off... I wish they'd just lose a mission and vote that <guy> off. |
Max | Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 08:46 am     <sd> The more I see him, the less I like Donnell (and that's sad, 'cause I was happy to see someone who wasn't 'skinny' on the show). He dishes out dirt on everyone every day, but if anyone throws a speck back at him, he gets all pouty and says he's being disrespected. He talks over anyone and eveyrone at all opportunities, yet tells the group that he won't stand for anyone talking over him (and he even talked over the girls during that confrontation!). He tells Abram "bring it on" over and over again and when Abram does, he runs out of the room as quickly as he can, then, after Abram is gone, he stands there talking like he wants to fight but he's holding himself back. UGH! Yes, Abram was wrong to hit him, but I totally understand why he did. There is a breaking point for everyone and when you stand there and clearly tell someone that you are close to that breaking point and they keep egging you on anyway, then it gets pretty hard to walk away. Especially when the reality is that Abram COULDN'T just walk away. He had to live with this guy in VERY close quarters an it's obvious that Donnell was continually picking at him. By Donnell's own admission, he considered Abram "his b!tch" on the trip. Real nice guy. NOT! I think they should send them both home. However, if Abram goes alone this time (which ITA it appears is going to happen), then I predict Donnell won't be to far behind. Remember, at the beginning of the season, MTV told us that three of the original cast wouldn't make it through to the end. |
Puttergirl | Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 09:18 am     I agree with you Laura and Max. Donnell completely turns my stomach. As much as I know that violence is not the answer, I found myself rooting Abram on. I could physically feel his frustration; I've been in similar circumstances and its hard not to eventually react when someone is intent on pushing your buttons. I don't think Abram should leave for the simple fact that Donnell told him to "bring it on". He invited him to fight as far as I'm concerned. I know its against the rules, but it seemed like a mutual thing. Abram was stuck between a rock and a hard place- he was given no options by Donnell. When he tried to walk away, Donnell taunted him. When he came back for more, Donnell taunted him. I was amazed at how stressed I was starting to feel, like it was happening to me! Anyway, I fear that if they kick Abram off, it will be validation to Donnell that his behavior is ok. As intolerable as he is now, he'll only get worse!! Donnell needs to go!!! I think if they kick off one, they should kick off both!!! |
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