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(10/26/00 9:34am)
If anything, it's great that "C.S.I." answers at least one burning TV question: Where the heck did Gina, the Secret Service agent on last season's "West Wing," get off to? Her portrayer, Jorjan Fox, now toils on "C.S.I." as crime scene investigator (hence the title) Sara Sidel.\nNow that that matter has been cleared up, "C.S.I." conjures up yet another burning question: do crime scene investigators really get to investigate quite this much? The cast seems to be doing legwork that the detectives do on most other cop shows. Which portrayal is more true to life is anyone's guess, but "C.S.I." needs something besides its title to stand out from the wealth of other TV cop shows.
(10/26/00 9:33am)
Last season's explosive season finale left "West Wing" fans with one burning question, as NBC relentlessly pointed out in promos: Who's been shot? The answer to this question led to an revealing two-part season premiere as the terrorist shooting plot got cleaned up, and victim Josh (Bradley Whitford) had flashbacks of President Josiah Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) rise to office. \nHappily, annoying PR lackey Mandy (a miscast Moira Kelley) has been dumped and delightful secretary Donna (Janel Moloney) is now a contract player. Let's hope that series co-creator and writer Aaron Sorkin will continue to make us all wish that the White House always looked this good.
(10/26/00 9:32am)
The biggest problem facing "The Fugitive," a remake of the 1960s series and a redux of the 1990s movie, is how to keep things fresh when the main character will pretty much be doing the same thing every week. Dr. Richard Kimble (Timothy Daly) has been wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and now spends his time running from the law and, of course, helping others.\nDaly does a great job of looking good and making it easy to forget his goofball character from the sitcom "Wings." Surrounded by well-chosen guest stars, the scenes of Kimble undercover are kind of like a non-pretentious and interesting version of "Touched By an Angel." But the police department escapades of Kimble's hunter, Lt. Phillip Gerard (Mykelti Williamson), are not nearly as compelling. Gerard needs to get himself -- and the audience -- out from behind his desk and out on the road where all the fun is taking place.
(10/26/00 9:31am)
"Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" is still one of the more imaginative and exciting television dramas. But this year's episodes have continued the slight slump in quality the show experienced last season. Although the producers have thankfully given up on the silly military vampire-fighting battalion, "The Initiative," traces of mediocrity still remain, mostly in the persona of Riley (Marc Blucas,) Buffy's boring, puppy dog-esque boyfriend).\nLast year's fantasy season finale was intriguing because it obtusely predicted big things for this year. One promise has already come true: the addition of Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), Buffy's younger sister. But is Dawn really Buffy's sibling? Hopefully the answer in whatever form will bring more surprises and a return to quality. And a fatal accident for Riley, if that isn't too much to ask.
(10/26/00 9:30am)
As was the case last season, "Angel" continues to be the more creative and cohesive than sister show "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer." While series creator Joss Whedon is constantly finding himself at loose ends with Buffy's plots and characters, he seems to revel in the slightly darker L.A. atmosphere of "Angel." \nAlthough Elizabeth Rohm is unfortunately nowhere to be found as super-cop and perfect "Angel" foil Kate, the show's action is still intact with the addition of Darla (Julie Benz,) the vampire who transformed Angel and whom he killed back in Buffy's first season.
(10/26/00 9:29am)
It's really hard for a journalist to objectively view a fictional TV show about journalism. Which is why it is extremely difficult to form an untainted opinion about "Deadline." Although the general viewing public might be able to ignore gross factual errors such as Oliver Platt's Wallace Benton being allowed to interrogate an accused murderer, it's really hard to swallow for anyone remotely connected to the media.\nAt the same time, it's also really hard to fault a show with such a great cast, including BeBe Neuwirth and Lili Taylor. Platt's portrayal of mercenary-esque Benton is nicely cynical and sarcastic, particularly when he's paired with Hope Davis as his co-worker and ex-wife. Luckily, the writers have also decided to do us all a favor and send the annoyingly ignorant students in Benton's graduate seminar straight to the back burner. Hopefully "Deadline" will clean up the errors in its act and become as great as series creator Dick Wolf's other show, "Law and Order"
(10/26/00 9:27am)
"Welcome to New York" immediately catches attention by utilizing yet another catchy theme song ("New York, New York" from the musical On the Town). The show is built around the well-worn "country mouse goes to the city," as Indiana weatherman Jim Gaffigan (played by -- no joke -- Jim Gaffigan) moves to big, bad New York City. \nAlthough the show was originally set to be a vehicle for Gaffigan, wisely the writers are instead giving him a formidable adversary in Christine Baranski's delightfully bitchy producer, Marsha. The best part of "Welcome to New York" is watching Baranski throw insults at Gaffigan and practically everyone else on the entire show. Another great addition is "Roseanne" alum Sarah Gilbert as Amy, the production assistant who is kind of Marsha's bitch-in-training. Now if "Welcome to New York" could just rid itself of Rocky Carroll's boring and cliched anchorman Adrian, then the fur could really start to fly.
(10/26/00 9:26am)
With a catchy theme song and a charismatic star, "Bette" actually manages to rise above typical sitcom mediocrity. The premise of Bette Midler's star vehicle (basically she plays herself) seems very thin at first glance, but Midler's bawdy, slightly egotistical portrayal of her alter ego is actually pretty humorous. Watching Bette (strangely the character has no last name) react to the situations around her is kind of like watching "I Love Lucy" reruns. Except instead of Lucy plotting to further Ricky's career and messing things up, Bette plots to further her own career and messes it up.\nUnfortunately, the other half of Bette's life, interaction with her normal-guy husband and teenage daughter, fall flat. None of the show's co-stars, with the possible exception of Joanna Gleason as best buddy Corinne, bring the same kind of explosive energy to their roles. Maybe this was done purposely to make it even more obvious that Bette is supposed to be unique and quirky, but it was a mistake. "Bette" can get by simply on Midler's charm for a few episodes, but the key to a long-running successful sitcom is a crackerjack ensemble cast. It's time to get some new co-stars or a cast-wide shot of adrenaline.
(10/26/00 8:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Paying it forward -- it's such a great idea if we could only put it into practice. Help three people with something extremely difficult and ask nothing in return but that they spread the message to three different people.
(10/26/00 5:21am)
In the past two weeks, 2,800 people have signed the Take Back IU petition, a petition created by a group of alumni calling for the resignation of President Myles Brand, Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations Christopher Simpson, athletics director Clarence Doninger and the entire board of trustees. \nBut the administration is not planning to formally respond to the petition.\n"The allegations are ridiculous, irresponsible and patently false," Simpson said. "Right now President Brand is focusing on the academic mission of this University. The Bob Knight situation came and went six weeks ago. The overwhelming majority of the University family we've heard from has moved on."\nJohn Walda, president of the board of trustees, said the board is not planning a response to the petition.\n"I don't see any reason to respond," he said. \nThe petition went public Oct. 14 when organizer Mary Ann McCarty, an alumna living in Columbus, Ind., collected signatures at the IU-Michigan football game. Signatures were also collected at Sunday's Homecoming game. A Web site, www.takebackiu.com, has been established to allow people to sign online. McCarty said she was happy with the number of signatures collected so far.\n"Actually, I find it staggering for only having the petition going for about 10 days," she said. "We have not really done a promotion yet, all of it has come from press coverage or word of mouth. It's very exciting."\nMcCarty said she never expected any kind of direct response from those mentioned in the petition.\n"The only response we want from them, in the end, is their resignations," she said.\nTake Back IU is now looking into several promotional options. McCarty said the group is preparing to send out an informational mailing to alumni through e-mail.\n"A lot of alumni live outside of Indiana," she said. "They don't even know what's going on."\nThe group is also considering placing advertisements in Indiana newspapers and buying space on a billboard.\nChanges and additions to the Take Back IU Web site have also been made. Links to articles from various sources about enrollment, IU's School of Music and Knight are included along with links to the results of U.S News and World Report and University of Florida Center academic rankings.\n"I think it's important to include this information because some people don't understand all the issues and why we're asking for the resignations of everyone we're asking for," McCarty said. \nCreators of the site have also made the online signatures confidential. Up until last week, all of the Internet signatures could be read at the site. McCarty said the group changed the format because they were receiving false signatures.\n"It was such a popular site it did attract some pranksters," McCarty said. "Everything was visible so people could not only see signatures but also some of the prankster comments. Some of them were the normal thing you get on the Internet but some were getting kind of off-color and inappropriate."\nMcCarty said she has also received e-mails from all over the world expressing interest and support for the petition.\n"I've also gotten e-mails from people who say they want to sign but can't for fear of reprisal," McCarty said, citing an example from a student. "There is a level of intimidation and fear of reprisal from the administration."\nSimpson said the administration does not punish students for expressing their views.\n"God forbid we should do anything to infringe on anybody's First Amendment rights," he said. "That sounds about as logical and correct as the absurd allegation that the University's reputation is plunging"
(10/26/00 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Paying it forward -- it's such a great idea if we could only put it into practice. Help three people with something extremely difficult and ask nothing in return but that they spread the message to three different people.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
With a catchy theme song and a charismatic star, "Bette" actually manages to rise above typical sitcom mediocrity. The premise of Bette Midler's star vehicle (basically she plays herself) seems very thin at first glance, but Midler's bawdy, slightly egotistical portrayal of her alter ego is actually pretty humorous. Watching Bette (strangely the character has no last name) react to the situations around her is kind of like watching "I Love Lucy" reruns. Except instead of Lucy plotting to further Ricky's career and messing things up, Bette plots to further her own career and messes it up.\nUnfortunately, the other half of Bette's life, interaction with her normal-guy husband and teenage daughter, fall flat. None of the show's co-stars, with the possible exception of Joanna Gleason as best buddy Corinne, bring the same kind of explosive energy to their roles. Maybe this was done purposely to make it even more obvious that Bette is supposed to be unique and quirky, but it was a mistake. "Bette" can get by simply on Midler's charm for a few episodes, but the key to a long-running successful sitcom is a crackerjack ensemble cast. It's time to get some new co-stars or a cast-wide shot of adrenaline.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
"Welcome to New York" immediately catches attention by utilizing yet another catchy theme song ("New York, New York" from the musical On the Town). The show is built around the well-worn "country mouse goes to the city," as Indiana weatherman Jim Gaffigan (played by -- no joke -- Jim Gaffigan) moves to big, bad New York City. \nAlthough the show was originally set to be a vehicle for Gaffigan, wisely the writers are instead giving him a formidable adversary in Christine Baranski's delightfully bitchy producer, Marsha. The best part of "Welcome to New York" is watching Baranski throw insults at Gaffigan and practically everyone else on the entire show. Another great addition is "Roseanne" alum Sarah Gilbert as Amy, the production assistant who is kind of Marsha's bitch-in-training. Now if "Welcome to New York" could just rid itself of Rocky Carroll's boring and cliched anchorman Adrian, then the fur could really start to fly.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
It's really hard for a journalist to objectively view a fictional TV show about journalism. Which is why it is extremely difficult to form an untainted opinion about "Deadline." Although the general viewing public might be able to ignore gross factual errors such as Oliver Platt's Wallace Benton being allowed to interrogate an accused murderer, it's really hard to swallow for anyone remotely connected to the media.\nAt the same time, it's also really hard to fault a show with such a great cast, including BeBe Neuwirth and Lili Taylor. Platt's portrayal of mercenary-esque Benton is nicely cynical and sarcastic, particularly when he's paired with Hope Davis as his co-worker and ex-wife. Luckily, the writers have also decided to do us all a favor and send the annoyingly ignorant students in Benton's graduate seminar straight to the back burner. Hopefully "Deadline" will clean up the errors in its act and become as great as series creator Dick Wolf's other show, "Law and Order"
(10/26/00 4:00am)
As was the case last season, "Angel" continues to be the more creative and cohesive than sister show "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer." While series creator Joss Whedon is constantly finding himself at loose ends with Buffy's plots and characters, he seems to revel in the slightly darker L.A. atmosphere of "Angel." \nAlthough Elizabeth Rohm is unfortunately nowhere to be found as super-cop and perfect "Angel" foil Kate, the show's action is still intact with the addition of Darla (Julie Benz,) the vampire who transformed Angel and whom he killed back in Buffy's first season.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
"Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" is still one of the more imaginative and exciting television dramas. But this year's episodes have continued the slight slump in quality the show experienced last season. Although the producers have thankfully given up on the silly military vampire-fighting battalion, "The Initiative," traces of mediocrity still remain, mostly in the persona of Riley (Marc Blucas,) Buffy's boring, puppy dog-esque boyfriend).\nLast year's fantasy season finale was intriguing because it obtusely predicted big things for this year. One promise has already come true: the addition of Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), Buffy's younger sister. But is Dawn really Buffy's sibling? Hopefully the answer in whatever form will bring more surprises and a return to quality. And a fatal accident for Riley, if that isn't too much to ask.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
The biggest problem facing "The Fugitive," a remake of the 1960s series and a redux of the 1990s movie, is how to keep things fresh when the main character will pretty much be doing the same thing every week. Dr. Richard Kimble (Timothy Daly) has been wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and now spends his time running from the law and, of course, helping others.\nDaly does a great job of looking good and making it easy to forget his goofball character from the sitcom "Wings." Surrounded by well-chosen guest stars, the scenes of Kimble undercover are kind of like a non-pretentious and interesting version of "Touched By an Angel." But the police department escapades of Kimble's hunter, Lt. Phillip Gerard (Mykelti Williamson), are not nearly as compelling. Gerard needs to get himself -- and the audience -- out from behind his desk and out on the road where all the fun is taking place.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
Last season's explosive season finale left "West Wing" fans with one burning question, as NBC relentlessly pointed out in promos: Who's been shot? The answer to this question led to an revealing two-part season premiere as the terrorist shooting plot got cleaned up, and victim Josh (Bradley Whitford) had flashbacks of President Josiah Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) rise to office. \nHappily, annoying PR lackey Mandy (a miscast Moira Kelley) has been dumped and delightful secretary Donna (Janel Moloney) is now a contract player. Let's hope that series co-creator and writer Aaron Sorkin will continue to make us all wish that the White House always looked this good.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
If anything, it's great that "C.S.I." answers at least one burning TV question: Where the heck did Gina, the Secret Service agent on last season's "West Wing," get off to? Her portrayer, Jorjan Fox, now toils on "C.S.I." as crime scene investigator (hence the title) Sara Sidel.\nNow that that matter has been cleared up, "C.S.I." conjures up yet another burning question: do crime scene investigators really get to investigate quite this much? The cast seems to be doing legwork that the detectives do on most other cop shows. Which portrayal is more true to life is anyone's guess, but "C.S.I." needs something besides its title to stand out from the wealth of other TV cop shows.
(10/19/00 11:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It's basically a given that there is little good to be had out of any movie starring a "Saturday Night Live" character made famous through short skits on the aforementioned television show. "Ladies Man," starring Tim Meadows as Leon Phelps, might or might not break that mold.