Steamboat Pilot & Today

Not from Steamboat

Forget cats. What curiosity killed last week was dozens of heartfelt oaths to never, never, never watch a reality TV show. The lure of seeing how Hollywood would portray Steamboat Springs and local ranch life was too much for the many people who sat down Sunday evening to watch the E! Entertainment Television premiere of "Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive," a reality show filmed earlier this summer on the Iacovetto family's Saddleback Ranch.

The starlets and debutantes were predictably spoiled and inappropriately dressed. The real locals who appeared on the show -- most notably Jerad and Wayne Iacovetto and veterinarian Lee Meyring -- were refreshingly typical.

The biggest surprise was the host, an actor hired to pretend to be a regular member of the Saddleback team and make all the nasty comments that are supposed to make good TV. The things that came out of his mouth -- like a reference to the uselessness of the celebrity children: "The best part of them dribbled down their daddy's leg," elicited a good amount of shock and laughter.

Are people really allowed to say those things on prime time? More important, at some point in this series, is the rest of America going to learn that this jerk isn't actually from Steamboat?

Perfect evening for music

Saturday's cool weather made the perfect evening to visit North Routt for a private chamber concert from the students of the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory at the home of Bill and Jan Van Straaten. It was the last night before students left the valley for their homes in Omaha, Neb., Chicago, St. Louis and New York. Proud parents were there to listen as their students showed their recently acquired improvisation skills or shared the new harp composition.

The music ended, and dinner was served. The conversation was good, and the chicken was delicious.

TEI gallery closing its doors

TEI Modern Contemporary Gallery is scheduled to close its doors for good Monday, unless a miracle happens. For almost a year, the gallery has focused on modern works by local and national artists.

The gallery will be open from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday through Sunday for a final viewing of the art inside.

-- Autumn Philllips