In addition to being spring break for the local school district, it's also the big week off for UT and Texas A&M, which means that South Padre Island is overrun with college students.
This island has been hoppin' from the jump. Hip-hop sensation Coolio was spotted at a local club. Actor Luke Perry was rumored to be making appearances here and there. Gangsta rapper Snoop Dogg hosted a live national broadcast of the Girls Gone Wild video series.[...]
The show and video series have been controversial over the past couple of years. Drunken college students have bared all and later sued, claiming the show took advantage of them. Other cities have blamed the broadcast for increased rowdiness, chaos and vandalism.
Thursday's broadcast was a $19.95 pay-per-view event, featuring Snoop Dogg, scantily clad women and wrestling stars.
Producers of the show couldn't be reached for comment, but the show appeared to be successful.
[...]
Amanda Gomez, a 21-year-old student at UT-Pan American, was sporting a teeny tank top, short shorts and a million Mardi Gras beads and was sipping on a bucket-size Long Island ice tea while she talked about her week.
She, her boyfriend and his friend hung out all week.
The highlight?
Gomez's money-making body.
Uh, let's let her explain this one.
"Some guys told me if I took off my top they'd pay me $600," Gomez said. "So, I did and they paid me. I didn't care. I made money."
I've been seeing the "Ultiamte Spring Break" Girls Gone Wild infomerical at 5:30 each morning since I moved here about a year ago. It's amazing to see how times have changed.
Even though we're the same age, I'm already doing the Early Bird Specials.
Posted by: William Hughes on March 15, 2003 6:50 PMI know it was like that when I was in high school (1988-1991)...I never was allowed to go though. We watched MTV Spring Break and I swore I'd go in college but never did. After watching Girls Gone Wild, it's probably a good thng I did not attend. That's just a little too crazy for me.
Posted by: Emilie on March 15, 2003 9:18 PM