The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 81

2 BAYLIFE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2002 THE TAMPA TRIBUNE TBO.COm Public Humiliation Is Small Price To Claw For True Love 9 Bt was raining. Of COURSE, it was raining it always rains on the days when you want your hair to stay curled. Instead, the bedraggled bunch of husband hunters who were gathered outside Centro Dish restaurant early Saturday morning looked a little sodden and a bit frizzy. But our spirits could not be dampened there was a bona fide man at stake. Which man? We didn't really care.

Combine hopes of fame with enough quiet desperation, and it's enough to make nearly 100 women brave the elements for their shot to audition for "The Bachelor." If you've been living under a rock (or timing to "The West Wing" instead), you may not have seen the previous two seasons of ABC's "Dating matrimonial media circus. The premise: 25 women are whisked off to some in-credible villa in some romantic location to live together and compete for the affections of the show's title hunk. Periodically, the bachelor visits his harem to choose one or more of his captive concubines to participate in either group or individual dates, all of which seem to conclude with an obligatory trip to the hot tub. Then, Mr. Right-for-the-Ratings chooses which women stay and which are cast Teen Chaifs JILL M.

REVELLE TheQuarterlifer jrevellctampatrib.com back into the abyss of singles groups and Soup for One by presenting his favorites with red roses. And when the competitors are whittled down to one, he's supposed to propose. In The Mood For Love So, of course, I had to try out. I dragged my token single girlfriend Steff along with me, despite her protests that even if she gets picked, she sure as heck won't go. Me? I would be there in a heartbeat.

So would the girl behind me in line a perky 21-year-old Hooters waitress from Brandon who, I was surprised to find out, doesn't already have a boyfriend. "I don't meet many nice guys at work," she admitted. The show, she NIELSEN RATINGS Thanks to a bachelor-trashing session and Jennifer Lopez, ABC showed some signs of life last week. The struggling network had its biggest, weekly audience of the season 11 to 17, even though it still finished third behind NBC and CBS. ABC alo finished second to NBC among thedvertiser-friendly 18-to 49-year-old age demographic for the firsttime this season.

llts most popular show was "The Bachelor," which concluded this wek. An audience of 16.7 million people watched women who had been rejected by the bachelor get the chance to strike back. fLopez was interviewed on "tfrimetime Live," one of a string of big-name interviews on ABC News this month. jNBC, in a tight struggle with CBS for "sweeps" month supremacy, had six of the top 11 shows in the ratings. Nijes' illness on "Frasier" helped the comedy to a stronger-than-usual showing.

rj "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS Si; "Friends," NBC 3. 4. "CSI: Miami," CBS 5. "Everybody Loves Raymond," CBS 6. "Law Order," NBC 7.

"Survivor: Thailand," CBS 8. "Monday Night Oak- land at Denver, ABC (tie) 8. "Scrubs," NBC (tie) 10. "Will Grace," NBC lL "Frasier," NBC l12. "The Bachelor: The Women Tell All," ABC 13.

'law Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC 14. "The West Wing," NBC 15. "Primetime Live-Wednesday," ABC 16. "Dateline NBC-Tuesday" 17. "Law Order: Criminal Intent," NBC (tie) 17.

"Still Standing," CBS (tie) 19. "60 Minutes," CBS 20. "JAG," CBS (tie) 20. "Without a Trace," CBS (tie) Hie Associated Press FRIDA FASHIONS Her Own Course In Richly thinks, might give her a chance to meet her personal Prince Charming and fall in love. I wondered if she would read the fine print before she signed the eligibility form: "Applicants acknowledge, understand and agree that use or revelation of Personal Information may be embarrassing, unfavorable, humiliating, derogatory and or portray The Bachelorettes in a false light" How romantic.

Catch As Catch Can One by one, we took our turns making love to the camera, answering to our relationship history, ideal-man traits and why we think the ABC brass should pick us for the show. "Because I have a big butt," Steff answered. "You never have girls on the show with big butts." They probably don't pick girls who list their hobbies as cooking and quilting, either. "You quilt?" the interviewer asked. Yep, and I do windows, too.

"You're quite a catch!" she said. I should find out how viable a catch in a month or so. Actually, it surprised me the caliber of women who turned out we were ALL catches in our own way. I don't MOVIE REVIEW Real Women Have Curves: MOVIE BOARD RATING: (PG-13; profanity, sexuality) STARS: AmericaFerrera, Lupe Ontiveros, IngridOliu, Brian Sites DIRECTOR: Patricia Cardoso LOCATION: See Friday Extra for theaters and show times. PLOT SUMMARY: Bright Chicana craves escape from barrio.

RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes ON THE WEB: www.realwomenhavecurves.com and if she's lucky getting married and having babies. In these early scenes, it's easy to view Carmen as a mean-spirited witch eager to keep her daughter down. Carmen is incredulous when Ana insists that a woman can have a mind and thoughts of her own. That's as close to villainy as the (I fi know what I was expecting, exactly, but it certainly wasn't the parade of well-dressed, striking, eloquent women I found myself among. They weren't the most talkative I Kinnrh thraiah Aftpr all.

this was war 'o Ul 1 a allUCVCiy uuici gill ui un- luuiu vaa the enemy. HawwR rea vsunkthisiow. ems' tUn At A mufti VlifrVlor th on sharpening our claws for a guy we've I never seen? i Darn right Where's my rose? Meet Market Bars, supermarkets, aance ciuds, network television where is the best place to meet someone? I get the question all the time, faithful readers, anaiaoninaveinesugnieswuea. So I'm asking all you young singles i i .1 i i a j. out there: Where are youf What your favorite haunt? The best night to be there? What time does the party Call or e-mail your answers, ana lookforthetop lOTampaBaymeet-ing spots ina future installment of Jr TheQuarterlifer.

JillM.Revelle, who is ready for her close-up, Mr. DeMille, can be reached at (813), 885-6852. Woven Story movie gets. Ana remains respectful, an impor-" tant value in her world, but she still finds a wav to chart her own course. Along the way we meet a first-class cast of characters, including Ana's older sister Estela (Ingnd Oliu), the harned dressmaker who needs seam-" stresses more than a social life.

While Ana works for Estela, we hear their co-workers talk about their lives. Our final visit to the sewing factory leads to a hilarious, enlightening md-1 ment that gives the film its title. li Young actor Brian Sites plays admiring classmate Billy, the only AnJ glo character and a key player in her fight for independence. 1 L1V.11 111 UUllUOLHlVlbi 11L UJ vvumen nas nuiiesi appeal, a pu- u. tent parent-child story as well as an insightful look into an important-, HT 1 1 1 growing subculture.

3, Vrfntrh Tinh Jlnccnn Vri1 nr mnrti i ti cic j. on WFLA, News Channel 8. a Check out his online movie reviews, catch movie trailers and vote in our onlinepollonTBO.com. i USF Opera Theatre performs "A 1 Game of Chance" and "The Bewitched" 8 p.m. today and Saturday; 4 Sunday; $6 ($4 students with ID' -and ages 60 and older); University of -South Florida, Theatre 2, 4202 E.

1 Fowler Tampa; (813) 974-2323" The 25th annual St. Petersburg Boaf Show; through Sunday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 D.m.

Sundav: $7 ($2 aee 12 and vnun-' ger); Bayfront Center Yacht Basin, 400 bust St. St. Petersburg; (727) 892-5767 Sail America's Sail Exoo St. Peter urday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday; admission is $10 today, $12 Saturday 4 -and Sunday; Vinoy Park and Marina; Bayshore Drive and Fifth Avenue -Northeast, St. Petersburg; 1-800-817-7245 L' "Quidam" is a Cirque du Soleil pro? duction; through Dec. 15; 5 and9 p.m.' A today; $45 to $65 adults, $31.50 to $45.50 age 12 and younger; 5 p.m. dis-V count prices: $40.50 to $58.50 age 65' 1 and older and students 13-17; Trop-f icana Field, parking lot, St. Peters-burg; 1-800-678-5440 rt 'i.

By BOB ROSS Mexican-American culture meets adolescent angst in "Real Women Have Curves," a lovingly written, perfectly performed family drama about a smart young woman's struggle to rise above her circumstances. Director Patricia Cardoso brings energy and depth to Josefina Lopez's play about breaking tradition and mamtaining self-esteem. Newcomer America Ferrera gives a career-making performance as Ana Garcia, a sweet-faced, self-consciously overweight teenager who's too intelligent and ambitious to remain in her family's colorful, impoverished Los Angeles neighborhood. Ana earned admission to prestigious Beverly Hills High, taking two buses to get there each day. As the film starts, she is graduating.

A teacher named Guzman (George Lopez) believes she can get into a top university. But her obstinate, old-fashioned mother, Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros, an old pro in peak form), insists on Ana staying home, slaving in her sister's sweatbox dress factory YOUR BEST BETS America Ferrera plays Ana, a girl with bigger dreams than working with her sister in a sewing factory. TODAY AND TONIGHT Kenny Rogers performs; 8 p.m.; $42 and $49; Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1 1 1 1 Mc-Mullen-BoothRoad, Clearwater; (727)7691-7400 "Four Bitchin' Babes" features singer-songwriters Sally Fingerett, Suzzy Roche, Debi Smith and Camille West; 8 p.m.; $21 and $25; Bayfront Center, Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. St. Petersburg; (727) 892-5767 Mof ro plays soulful North Florida swamp-funk; the Legendary Joint Chiefs open; 8 p.m.; $10; Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa; (813) 971-0666 Guitarist Tim Reynolds, best known for his work with Dave Matthews, performs; call for times; $15; Twilight, 1507 E.

Seventh Tampa; (813) 247-6234 Bay Area Saxophone Quartet per-. forms; 7:30 p.m.; University of Tampa, Reeves Theater, 401 W. Kennedy Tampa; (813) 253-6212 The Florida Orchestra presents violinist Anne Akiko Meyers in performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Con-certo; the fourth Masterworks pro- A fringed, lace poncho and ruffled shirt reflect the fashions favored by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The Viva La Frida Cafe Galeria, a restaurant and gallery at 5901 N. Florida Ave.

in Tampa, will host a special event at 7 p.m. Sunday to honor painter Frida Kahlo. In conjunction with the film "Frida," which is playing in Tarn-' pa Bay area theaters, the cafe will hold a "Freaky Frida Fashion Show and Competition." Participants need not look like Kahlo although impersonations are welcome but the contest winner will be judged on original clothing, accessories or Wearable art reflecting Kahlo's bohemian style. A $5 entry fee will go toward various prizes that will be awarded. For more information, call (813) 231-8478 'BOHEME WINDOWS The Montblanc store (luxury writing instruments and leather accessories) in Tampa's International Plaza will boast "La Boheme" windows through Nov.

29. The popular Puccini opera recently opened on Broadway, and in celebration of the production, the set designer has created spectacular windows to reflect the brooding backdrop of Paris. Decorated in elaborate and colorful scenarios, the windows were the brainchild of Catherine Martin, Oscar-winning designer for the movie "Moulin Rouge." In conjunction, Montblanc has created a series of elaborate pens starting at $195 with finishes that reflect the opera's style. Most are smaller than usual and can fit into a man's shirt pocket. For more information, call (813) 354-7711.

BOBO WINNERS Last week's Bobo trivia question from "Jaws" netted more than 60 responses but only 10 correct answers. For more on the question, see The Rail column on Page 1 of BayLife. Here are the people who got it right: Patrick Aters, Christine Rusher, Dr. Marge Wissman, Bill Parsons, Christopher Gabenski, Brandon Gabenski, Abby Blackburn, Dale Thomas and Dean and Connie Blackwelder. Kevin Walker PhotobyALSEIB Mark Ward performs as the character John in "Quidam." Cirque du Soleil is presenting the show outside Tropicana Field through Dec.

15. gram also includes Aaron Copland's Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. "Three Latin American Sketches" and Machines Place, Tampa; (813) John Adams' $20, 286-2403 $31, $37 and $42; 8 p.m.; Tampa Bay Interested in having your entertainment event considered for publication? Write to Your Best Bets, The Tampa Tribune, P.O. Box 191, Tampa FL 33601-0191 send an or call Mike O'Neill at (813) 259-7566. For more Tampa Bay area events, see this week's Friday Extra or go online to TBO.com and click the Things To Do link.

HOW TO CONTACT US Our address: BayLife, The Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker Tampa FL 33606-2395 To call Senior Editor for NewsFeatures Cheryl Schmidt (813) 259-7523 To send comments and ideas through e-mail: baylifetampatrib.com BayLife fax: (813) 259-7676 or 254-4952 For information about The Tampa Tribune's news departments: (813) 259-7600 To contact us about EntertainmentArts: Kim MacCormack, (813) 259-7631, kmaccormacktampatrib.com To contact us about FoodHealthTravelFamily: Jeff Houck, (813) 259-7324, jhoucktampatrib.com To contact us about HomeFashionFaith: Penny Carnathan, (813) 259-7612, pcarnathantampatrib.com Read The Tampa Tribune online at TBO.com or www.tampatrib.com.