Monday, August 21, 2006

Why we have mixed feelings about Sven Sundgaard

There are many reasons we have mixed feelings about Kare 11 weatherman Sven Sundgaard. Let's narrow them down to five.

1. Sven is in his mid-20s; we are in our mid-20s. We're still not used to seeing people our age as legitimate contributors to the adult community (we say this despite careers in positions of relative adult authority). How can we trust somebody our own age to tell us what the weather will be like? That's senseless.

2. Sven can't ad lib. Earlier this summer, Kare 11 had an unexpected malfunction (as opposed to an expected malfunction) in their computer system, and the graphics to show the weather failed. We assume that somebody with training in either broadcasting or meteorology would at least be able to TALK about what the weather would be like the next day. No, Sven stood there in utter horror, unable to do anything. He even said, "I don't know what to do right now" before some producer mercifully cut to anchor Mike Pomeranz who did know how to ad lib (because as Jerry tells George, they tend to give those jobs to people who are, you know, in broadcasting).

3. Sven is in a ridiculous commercial. Sven, in all his metrosexual glory, gets ready to go jogging in a tank top, shorts, stylish sunglasses, and immaculate hair styling, as the camera pans around to different parts of his taut muscular body. During this preparation, Sven speaks in a language that I assume is Norwegian, and ends with a "You Betcha." Then he takes off running. We don't know whether to love or hate this commercial. We are not gay men ("Not that there's anything wrong with that"), but if we assume that if we were gay men, we would like this commercial.

4. Despite wanting to dislike him (he reminds us a bit of all the cool kids in high school), we sort of like Sven. He's pleasant to look at, and he brings out the dorky banter and unfunny joking like a regular local TV news personality. But he does this without looking like a typical schmuck in a suit. There doesn't seem to be any reason to name this blog "Sven Sucks," "We Hate Sven," or even "We Dislike Sven." But we also don't see a reason to make a fanboy blog lapping love on Sven.

5. We actually don't care about Sven at all. Not even a little bit. but this is the sort of amusing bit of Twin Cities commentary we can make. You see, we don't like to spend money. If we did, we would read about the restaurants, theaters, and other cultural activities in the local newspapers and magazines (we're regular readers of The Rake and Lavender--after all, they are free magazines), then go spend our money. No, we like to sit around, spending our money on nothing (this also means not spending our money on expensive TV packages--we pay $10.33 a month for cable, thank you very much, and we only pay that to ensure that Viking games will come in clearly). This means that the parts of Twin Cities life we are best suited to comment on are the free activities (St. Paul is filled with nice parks to walk around in), and TV. But a blog about our walks through St. Paul's parks would be pretty dull. So we decided to devote the majority of our commentary to local TV. But we are also hypocrites, so we occasionally shell out a bit of money to go to a cheap restaurant or movie theater (such as Friday, when I ate an entire box of Sugar Babies while watching "Snakes on a Plane").

So far we've got 4 commentators, so pay attention to who is writing each post, since even though we often write in the royal "we," we are separate individuals with divergent opinions.

Enjoy?

39 comments:

  1. Fantastic post that taps directly into the of the moment Twin Cities zeitgeist.

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  2. Anonymous2:09 PM

    I not sure i get your post. "We are not gay?" wtf...lol. "him in all his metrosexual glory" wtf,,,that's freakin hilarious! Sorry guys, Sven likes seven....inches that is...

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:58 AM

      Why would want to settle for a little seven inch when he can have many others with nine or more?

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    2. Anonymous11:09 PM

      haha i bet he can take more than that…loser…and sven lose the tight shirts

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    3. Anonymous9:17 PM

      above all, how about not forecasting the weather . you cant anything right. and instead of trying to be a local celeb, how about explain why we never have and evening breeze and always humidity is at its worst.

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  3. Anonymous12:57 AM

    *comments on old post for kicks and goggles* You have to admit Sven is great for a joke.Granted, some of my Sven jokes are tasteless beyond belief, but hey. He's in the local spotlight, which makes him fair game. I don't even watch his newscasts (because I get up ridiculously early for my job), but I know enough about him (and his cultish fan following, unfortunately) to develop a whole standup routine around him.

    Anyway, Sven makes me laugh while reminding me that our generation is, for the most part, screwed.

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  4. This is my new favorite blog. Fabulous work, gang.

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  5. sven's not a metrosexual. he's a homosexual.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:55 AM

      We all thank you for this update, but how are you so sure about others sexual interests? Could it be that it takes one to know one? By the way Dutchie, not that anyone cares but what do you do in bed? Dutchie, with a name like that one can only guess, let,s just hope it is not your dog.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous2:58 PM

    I like Sven, hes the reason i watch the news.

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  7. Anonymous3:42 AM

    I cannot believe that you too have mixed feelings about Sven Sundgaard! My friends and I have had nearly the exact same thoughts are yours ever since Kare11 started their aggressive Sven campaign. And like you, I really do not care about Sven, either. This is awesome.

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    1. Anonymous12:51 AM

      Believe me no one cares about you,, either and that is what is really awesomne.

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  8. Also, he looks like he's related to Vince, the ShamWow guy, and that alone is scary.

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    1. Anonymous12:49 AM

      I am sure that you are scary and that alone it scary too.

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  9. Anonymous7:04 PM

    Wow, I finally found people who feel like I do. Now if only I could find fellow gay guys that feel like I do. I just don't get the attraction. don't DISlike, just don't get it.

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    1. Anonymous12:48 AM

      I am sure you do not get it and that is what is really bothering you!

      Delete
  10. Anonymous7:50 PM

    Sven Sven Sven.

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  11. Ted Baxter..........

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  12. Anonymous9:44 AM

    My grandma had him as a student back in the day. Apparently he wasn't one of the "popular" kids in HS. But he wasn't unpopular either. I think he just straddles the fence well.

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    1. Anonymous12:46 AM

      I would bet you money that your grandma straddled the fence too!

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  13. Anonymous5:22 PM

    Some people will find something mean to say about anyone. :(

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:01 PM

      You're*. Fixed that for you.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous6:27 PM

    Sven is a joy to watch presenting the weather news. I wish he were on everyday. Not only is he the best of the lot, he is good to look at. In every way he is far superior to any weather reporter on any of the channels. I hope he stays around for many years. I watch channel 11 only because of him, and I wait for the weekends when he is usally on. Keep up the good work Sven and always be yourself. An ardent fan..

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:44 AM

      You said it. The people who seem to think they know so much about him know nothing and if they dislike him so much why are they watching all the time?

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  15. plymouth cat12:51 PM

    Sven your the best its about time we get the weather from someone who we can relate to .you are smart you know your stuff and your doing what you love it shows its always nice to turn on the news and see you what alot of people dont know is the many hats you wear you are well traveled and love cats. keep up the good work and always remember when we change the way we look at things the things we look at change

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  16. Anonymous12:39 PM

    I love you Sven!!

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  17. Anonymous6:38 PM

    Agree, we love Sven because he is quirky, we hate him too. They guy can really annoy you. Don't know what a metrosexual is. We do spend too much time evaluating our local news casters. It's a no win job based on cosmetics and limited understanding. Kare11 management should not be broadcasting local trial auditions, thats just cruel and mean

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  18. Anonymous12:05 PM

    Does Sven still work at Kare11?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:41 AM

      Because he has talent and you do not. That was easy to answer.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous10:56 AM

    While I have watched him for quite some time. (I grew up in Duluth, and moved to the cities later, I find him to be a major hypocrit, and unlike others I can actually prove it, if this site allows some umm nude photos and photos that show him in sex acts, he claims to be all about helping the HIV fight, however ALL he trys to do, is have sex with guys without a condom. Again I do not expect anyone to believe it, but I do have the pics to prove it. This is not the nice guy some think, he is a master of manipulation and we are glad to have him out of our area

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    1. Anonymous12:37 AM

      How would you know if he tries to have sex without a condom unless you were on the receiving end of what it sounds like you must have been? I would guess that pictures of yourself are not as easy on the eyes as are Sven's and how is it that you have come by pictures of Sven nude? You sound like a miserable unhappy person that finds joy in putting others down to build yourself up. Let me guess, you are a religious nut sitting in judgment of others, right!!!!

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  20. I sure wish someone would help Sven with his wardrobe. He looks terrible with that pin stripe suit and red tie and pink shirt. Now he is wearing those sweaters with the top buttons of his shirt open. Yuck
    Please Kare 11 have a chat with the guy. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:52 PM

      Very unprofessional!

      Delete
  21. I sure wish someone would help Sven with his wardrobe. He looks terrible with that pin stripe suit and red tie and pink shirt. Now he is wearing those sweaters with the top buttons of his shirt open. Yuck
    Please Kare 11 have a chat with the guy. Thank you.

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  22. Anonymous5:47 PM

    I love Sven. He is the only reason I watch ch 11 news rather than any of the other channels. He;s such a nice change from all, and I mean ALL our ugly local personalities. I am from the east coast, (have lived here for many years) and have never seen such unattractive people doing the news. He is absolutely adorable.

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  23. I just wish that Kare 11 would pay him enough money to buy new clothes. Evidently, he's still wearing his Junior High wardrobe!

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  24. Anonymous5:36 PM

    sven took all 3inches of me

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