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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

People: On his ‘Rock,’ love is hard


Bret MichaelsAssociated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Alicia Quarles Associated Press

Even though Bret Michaels has endured two seasons worth of conniving, drunken debauchery, bad weaves and catfights on his hit VH1 reality show “Rock of Love,” he admits that he still may not have found that one special woman.

On this month’s Season Two finale, Michaels chose TV host Ambre Lake out of the pack. While the two may not be head-over-heels in love, Michaels says he has found someone who is “nice and cool.”

That’s a big improvement for the former lead singer of Poison: He and his season one pick, Jess, didn’t even date once the show ended.

Q: Is this just a show for entertainment, or did you really go into this thinking that you were going to find true love?

A: I said this from day one: I went into this to have fun and maybe find someone to like. True love is not going to be found instantly on a (reality) TV show. That is only for scripted shows.

Q: What are the most important lessons you learned from being in a house with a bunch of women?

A: One good lesson that I have learned is patience. Even if you are not listening, act like you are listening. Even if you are in the background watching ESPN, listen or pretend to be listening. If you are going to use the same nice charm and jokes, try not to take three women on a date at the same time … saying lines while the other ones can hear it, and then turning to another and saying the same line, is not a smart move.

Q: How difficult is it to find out the truth about these women?

A: You know if anyone goes on a date it is the face of a stranger. The true colors (eventually) come out. I am what I am. I tell them, “I play flag football with my friends on the weekends. I like to race motorbikes. I have muscle cars.” … You can look and see what I have been doing for the last 20 years.

Q: Will there be a “Rock of Love 3”?

A: I don’t know. … I never say never. Right now I am not mentally there. I am having fun doing it, and I am thankful to the fans that made the show number one. The girls made the show great.

Q: What are you hiding under that bandanna?

A: My hair is combined of my hair and the finest extensions Europe has to offer. I do the show without it on all the time, and they won’t film me. They are like, “Put your bandanna back on. It is your image.” It is my signature thing.

The birthday bunch

Actor Charles Grodin is 73. Singer Iggy Pop is 61. Actress Patti LuPone is 59. Actor Tony Danza is 57. Actress Andie MacDowell is 50. Singer Robert Smith (The Cure) is 49. Actor-director John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”) is 45. Actress/comedian Nicole Sullivan is 38. Actor James McAvoy is 29.