Saturday, January 22, 2005

cK at the Spike^TV AUTOROX Awards

Carmen Electra, Funk Flex and Kid Rock!

A week ago, my cousin, Jazmine and I were walking to the Santa Monica Piers and a girl handed us a flyer advertising the Spike TV Autorox Awards that were being taped the following weekend. If we wanted to be in the audience, call the phone number listed. So I did. I got a call back giving me directions and telling me to be there for 12pm for rehearsal.

The taping was being held in an airport hanger in Santa Monica. I took the bus there which was 15 minutes from where I live. When I arrived, I was greeted by the security (which were all female)... and they actually flirted with me!

Anyways, I get escorted into the audience area where I meet the other casted people who were waiting for rehearsal. As I was sitting in the audience stands, I observed the set design of the Autorox stage. It looks very similar to a WWE RAW stage, with the ramp and the video screens.

We eventually get called to be at the bottom of the stage so they could rehearse. We saw Carmen Electra, Joe Rogan, Funkmaster Flex and Kid Rock all do their bits in the rehearsal. I wanted to take pics, but we were told that we were not allowed. So I witheld during rehearsal.

The rehearsal went from about 1pm to about 5:30pm. At 5:30pm we got a break to eat. They had catered food for us. Since Dominoes Pizza was one of the sponsers, we had pizza and also some cold subs. Lots of drinks and the availability of going back for seconds if we wanted more.

It was around 6pm where the full taping began. We were sent to go right up to the stage and encouraged to cheer for everything. Then, they let in people who paid to be there, and general audience members. They all crowded behind us or sat in the paid seating. Once I knew they were taping and that everybody was in, I then got brave enough to snap shots. Here is what I got:

Stage	Stage	Funkmaster Flex
another Funkmaster Flex	Stage Across From Me	Main Stage
view from sitting audience	Elanor from "Gone In 60 Seconds"	Lambo Diablo and stage

During rehearsal, everyone from the dancers was dressed in casual clothes. Carmen was wearing comfy jeans and a sweater. Joe Rogan was wearing a t-shirt, jacket and jeans. When it was time for taping, Carmen came out in this sizzling dress, the dancers came out in these gorgeous outfits and Joe came out in --- a t-shirt, jacket and jeans.

Joe and Carmen come out	Joe Rogan and Carmen Electra	Joe Rogan and Carmen Electra
more Joe and Carmen	more Joe and Carmen	more Joe and Carmen!!

What the show was really about was giving awards to the most popular cars for the year. Just like the stars of movies or a tv show, people voted to which car they favoured in a particular category. So the cars itself got recognition, not like a suit from the car company. The show had some mad hot rides, and even cars that aren't even out yet were released for the first time to the public on this show. Jaguar, Jeep and Range Rover all brought out concepts to show. I didn't get any photos of those, only because I didn't want to take any pics then.

Cars such as the Chevy Corvette, Rolls Royce Phantom, Lamborghini Gallardo all won awards in their respective categories. People went nuts when particular cars were announced even when they were nominated. I know that I was ooohing and ahhhhing when the 2005 Corvette rolled out.

Chevy Corvette	Shelby Cobra Mustang	Kid Rock comes out

Kid Rock performing

Kid Rock came out and performed 3 songs. Each track he blew the crowd away. He's a great entertainer in person. All of us were groovin' when he did the song, "COWBOY". I guess it was fitting for Kid since he is from the Motor City.

Carmen Electra after waving at me	Carmen Electra!!	Joe Rogan and Carmen Electra

One of the key moments of the night was when a honorary lifetime acheivement award was given to Carrol Shelby. This guy is one the legends of the automotive industry - indefinitely. I never thought I'd ever see him in person, and here I was, right there..... right in front of him getting an award! It was unreal. I'm glad that I even got pics to remember that moment.

Carmen Electra in front of a Cadillac	Carol Shelby Arrives	Carol Shelby Waving
Carol Shelby Getting Award	Carol Shelby	Kid Rock Performing
Kid Rock	Kid Rock	Exotic Cars Roll Up
Exotic Cars	UFC Fighter Randy Couture	Joe, Carmen, Funk Flex

The big winner at the end of the night was the 2005 Chevy Corvette. It won some big people's choice award or something at the end. Funkmaster Flex, Joe Rogan and Carmen Electra then had some last words and closed the show. In between scenes, Joe Rogan is exactly how you would imagine him. He's a smart mouth, but he's a joker. Carmen is sweet and always giggling.. but not in an airhead way. Funk Flex was all business. He wasn't talking to anyone.. just nodding his head and making sure he read the teleprompter correctly.

Corvette Wins Award	Joe, Carmen, Funk Flex	Joe,Carmen,Funk Flex

So the show closes and then I go outside to walk to the bus. As I'm walking into the parking lot, I see that UFC guy, Randy Couture. Apparently, he's the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He was just standing there on the phone with 2 guys beside him. I talked to other guys and they were his PR team. I took some quick photos, but there wasn't much light. The PR agent offered to take the pics for me, but I felt it was no use, since the light was low anyways. After Randy got off his phone, he shook my hand and talked with me. I told him how when he was on stage earlier tonight, I pointed to him and wanted to meet in the parking lot so I could take his UFC crown. Lo and behold, we were in the parking lot. He laughed and just carried on with me talking. I have to say, he was really nice. I walked with him to his limo and carried on my way.

Randy Couture on phone	Randy Couture off the phone	Randy Couture laughing