Most viewed stories of the week
Gore split, World Cup and death of a beloved Houston restaurateur are mostdiscussed CultureMap stories
Like a lot of other people, I was shocked at the news that Al and Tipper Gore are separating. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the news of their split was the most viewed CultureMap story of the past week. For anyone in a relationship — and even for those who aren't — the news came as a surprise.
A few years ago, most of us would have bet that the Clinton marriage would have fractured sooner than the Gores, who seemed to have a rock-solid relationship. But as a story in Sunday's New York Times noted, it's a sharp reminder that the only people who really know what goes in a marriage are the two people in it.
And it's a reminder that maintaining a good relationship takes constant work.
The news about the death of Kanomwan owner Darawan Charoenrat drew a strong reaction. Charoenrat was a pioneer in introducing Thai cuisine to Houston. He ran his restaurant with an iron hand, drawing comparisons to the "Soup Nazi" on the classic Seinfeld episode.
One CultureMapper wrote:
"Even though I didn't really know him, I am going to miss him! My co-workers and I ate lunch there at least once or twice a week, sometimes more. We got a smile out of him every now and then. We got a good laugh when he called one of our group "Wimpy" because he wanted his food to be not as spicy as usual. I hope the restaurant reopens in the future but it won't be the same without him. Rest in peace."
Another CultureMapper questioned our use of the term "Thai Nazi" to describe Charoenrat. "I never thought I would see the day where "beloved" and "Nazi" were used in the same sentence, even if it is tongue in cheek," the reader wrote.
We don't use such terms lightly, but we felt, in this instance, the description was apt.
Also gaining notice: Shelby Hodge's report on the inaugural meeting of a group called No Labels. It's a fledgling political movement that aims to find issues where Democrats and Republicans can come together to get rid of excessive partisanship, Washington gridlock and political polarization. It seems like a noble concept; here's hoping it succeeds. Shelby will report back later on the group's progress.
And with the World Cup coming up this week, we're excited to feature reports from Gerardo Chapa in South Africa. Chapa is the producer of 20/10, a documentary about the 2010 World Cup and his first reports have been fascinating. On the home front, David Theis describes how he became a World Cup fan and will highlight some of the most popular spots to watch key games.
Most viewed stories May 29-June 5
1. WIth Heidi Montag & Spencer kaput, Al and Tipper Gore decide they may as well split up
2. Photos surface of wildlife hurt by oil spill — BP denies suppression
3. Look out the Real Houston Housewives are coming! Producers quietly casting now
5. Why I turned down the Real Housewives of Houston: A first-person account of being producer chased
Editor's picks:
1. A Houston restaurant original: Kanomwan's beloved "Thai Nazi" dies
2. Houston ground zero for a radical political movement reaching both Democrats and Republicans
3. Backup flags: Only the young and the poor believe in the World Cup host's national team
4. Defending those over-the-top charity parties: A glitzy gala has a heart of substance
5. Guess who's going to the White House: Michelle Obama invites Houston chefs