Arts Entertainment

Join us for early and
late night delight

On The Tube

Early Night

Enjoy cheese fondue, salad, entree
6- a bottle of wine for two
$30 a person

`Stella'

Monday - Friday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

New Comedy Central series follows the absurdist
adventures of three young Jews.

Late Night

Enjoy cheese fondue, salad, chocolate fondue
6- a bottle of wine
$18 per person

DON COHEN

Special to the Jewish News

Monday - Friday after 9:00 p.m.

T

The *0+

Melting Pot

a fondue restaurant

Dip into something different?

888 W. Big Beaver Road
Inside City Center Building • Troy
(248) 362-2221

978650

MADE FOR SHARING. HOWEVER,
PEOPLE AREN'T ALWAYS WILLING.

&Ikea' <ramify SO
"BLIGA SMALL' feeds 2 or more
- BUCA LARGE fee :15 4 or more

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THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR WEDDINGS, BAR/BAT
GRADUATIONS, BIRTH
M ITZVAHS
NO MVP roc
DAYS, ANNWERSARIES AND PARTIES! ,
URGE OR TOO SMALL

Birmingham
270 N. Old Woodward Ave. 248-540-9463

my Bllgq TO so

Our full menu is

available for take out,

Also located in Utica and Livonia

Actors Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo
used to pop in to the Fez, and this
might explain the cameo appearance by
Edward Norton, who appeared with
Stiller in the movie — the funny
movie — Keeping the Faith.
So what about the first
episode? It centers on the three
guys — always in suits — who reg-
ularly make too much noise dancing in
their apartment and get evicted. Seeking
a new place, they work their weird
wiles, including wearing skunk tails and
engaging in Flashdance-type dancing, to

he new Comedy Central show
Stella, premiering 10:30
p.m. Tuesday June
28, begins with an auto acci-
dent and ends with an auto
accident. The half-hour in between
seemed like an auto accident, as well.
But rather than slowing down to gawk,
I felt like speeding up and getting past it
quick.
Three Jewish guys acting like oddballs
for laughs is not a new
idea. There were Larry,
Curly and Moe, and
Groucho, Harpo and
Chico — all great suc-
cesses I found hilarious,
especially the Stooges.
So I had to sit and think
why I found Michael,
Michael and David (see,
it just doesn't have much
of a ring to it) — the
stars, co-directors, writ-
ers and producers of
Stella — so irredeemably
stupid.
Michael Ian Black, David Wain and Michael Showalter: A
It wasn't hard to figure "new Marx Brothers" for the 21st century?
out. The writing is limp.
There is plenty of physi-
cal comedy but no puns, clever
get approved by a co-op board.
exchanges, double entendres, word plays
Being short on cash, they end up try-
or gags. In other words, just lots of stu-
ing to rent their previous apartment.
pid situations.
After they attempt open-heart surgery
Stella is Michael Ian Black, Michael
on the landlord using a butter knife and
Showalter and David Wain, who have
cooking utensils, a guy wearing a yar-
been writing, producing and perform-
mulke from a Simon Wiesenthal
ing comedy, together and apart, for 16
Center-like organization pays their rent
years. After meeting at New York
because they have discovered and killed
University in 1988, they helped create
Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele. Are you laugh-
the sketch comedy troupe "The State,"
ing yet?
which had a short-lived hit on MTV. A
I've got to admit that these guys are
book, several tours and a comedy album likable, have a good chemistry together
were developed as a result.
and have been pretty funny in previous
The high point of the collaboration
outings. And earlier this month,
was the 2001 cult hit movie Wet Hot
Showalter told Entertainment Weekly.
American Summer, a spoof of all those
magazine "each episode is totally differ-
mildly racy 1980s summer camp films.
ent."
Most recently, a live performance spe-
If so, there is still hope.
cial, Comedy Central Presents Stella, aired
in 2004.
Stella premieres 10:30 p.m.
According to promotional materials,
Tuesday, June 28, on Comedy
Stella got the series based on the group's
Central. Check out more about
live show that ran for seven years at Fez
Stella at www.stellacomedy.com .
in New York's Greenwich Village.

❑

any $30 or more food purchase.

elt.

6/23
2005

50

One per visit/table. Please bring in this coupon in order to receive discount
at time of purchase. Not valid with arty other discuunts/offers. Tax/gift
cards/ alcoholic beverages and gratuity excluded.
Valid for dine in or take out through
)
July 31, 2005 at listed locations. Code: OA

bucadibeppo.comA

991560