8 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 29, 1997 Fox gives prime time a new 'Spin By Julia Shih Daily Arts Writer In the past few years with success in films like "Mars Attacks" and "The Frighteners," Michael J. Fox has proven that he is a multitalented young actor. Yet it is in the realm of television that Fox's charm truly thrives. Fox is remembered most fondly for his stint on "Family Ties" play- R ing conservative, business-mind- ed Alex P. Keaton. The role earned him not only three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, but implanted him in the hearts of millions. But Fox's later venture into cinema had noticeably less impact on the general public. While he starred in the occasional blockbuster hit (the "Back to the Future" series, "Casualties of War"), he also captained quite a few flops ("Greedy," "Life with Mikey," "For Love or Money"). Now in his much-hoped-for return to television on ABC's "Spin City," Fox works his magic in the same way a sports team flourishes with home-field advan- tage. With this sitcom, Fox is reunited with producer Gary David Goldberg - the same producer who shot the actor into stardom with "Family Ties." In the sophomore (but far from sophomoric) sitcom, E Fox plays Michael Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York City. As the right-hand man to Mayor Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick) Flaherty is in charge of an oddball staff. Each week, Flaherty's goal is to keep the office in working order and clear of scandal while at the same time carrying on a successful social life. VI EW Obviously Fox is doing some- thing right, since he garnered an Spin City Emmy nomination last year for his A BC portrayal of Flaherty in the show's first season. Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Fox plays the young politician as a slightly older Alex Keaton who isn't quite as fanatically conservative, so, not too surprisingly, the character is appealing enough to enchant viewers every week. Fox's Flaherty is a solid source for laughs. "Spin City" is carried even further by the other phe- nomenal members of the ensemble cast. Richard Kind plays Paul Lassiter, the amusingly neurotic press sec- retary who is always experiencing some form of per- sonal crisis. Victoria Dillard is Janelle, Flaherty's secretary who is reeling from a recent promotion and Connie Britton is Nikki, the accountant with a star-crossed dating life. Best of all is Alan Ruck as Stuart Bondek, the polit- ically incorrect and sardonic chief of staff. Formerly seen as cult-favorite Cameron from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Ruck is always hilarious as the tormentor of his staff members. Whether it's dragging Carter (Michael Boatman), the Special Assistant for Minority Affairs along to pry into the secret hobbies of James (Alexander Chaplin), an idealistic speechwriter, or trying to take ov r Flaherty's job, Ruck is consistently offensive and hi* ious in his career-resurrecting role. This season offers a whole new lineup of gaffes and mini-scandals as the less-than-perfect mayor goes through a messy divorce and readjusts to single life. Meanwhile, Flaherty begins and finishes dating Laurie (Paula Marshall), who has him scrambling around on his knees by feeding him the same non-committal lines he's ustd on women. And as usual, the rest of the staff members try.to avoid scandals of their own as they work within their own love-hate relationships with each other. While "Spin City" may not be the most prominent sitcom in the ratings, it definitely has a large and devot- ed fan base. The show promises more than just cheap, superficial laughs and with its outstanding cast, proves to be an underdog hit. Though NBC's Thursday lineup still reigns over prime time, ABC's Wednesday lineup of "The Drew Carey Show," "Ellen" and Fox's "Spin City" makes a very formidable competitor. Michael J. Fox stars as Deputy Mayor of New York Michael Flaherty in "Spin City." Ominous Seapods dive into improvisation at Blind Pig tonight By Peter Altman and Reilly Brennan promote their new album in 1997, participating in various For the Daily festivals and withstanding tiresome tours throughout the New If you can't wait for the Phish Fall Tour to start, love York area. improv-rock bands and have $5 laying around, check out the Ominous Seapods tonight at the Blind Pig. PI Originally known only as a northeasternm pot-rock band and brethren to God Street Wine, The Ominous Seapods have matured in the past few years to where their sound has weathered the storm and loyalists are starting to receive credit for sticking with the off-beat group from Albany. This spring, the band released their third CD, titled "Jet :Smooth Ride" on independent label Ripe & Ready. Their finest effort to date, "Jet Smooth Ride" is an excel- 4ent representation of the band's commitment to creativity, tnprovisation and hypnotic blends of music. The Seapods' sound is comparable to jam bands like Phish end Moe., yet as upbeat as the early music of God Street Wine. Songs have creative, happy lyrics and are usually jam- Jaden. The Seapods made a great effort to extend themselves and n'Chicago' hopes f( By Leann Dawson Who would ha, For the Daily young man enter Take the buying of donor organs, a room was about to gangland shooting, gambling addiction, with an automaticv bdangerous surgery, engagements and one. If this seems resignations. Mix with old friendships, then take heed. Ho' ;thical dilemmas, and distrust of a fel- tals when conflict ,pw surgeon. The result? find their way in? Why, the fourth season of "Chicago The show illus Hope," of course. It may be arisk R V E switching from R E V I E W Monday to Wednesday nights Chicago Hope 7~s this series enters ts fourth season, ;ht ; if the risky Wednesdays at 10 p.m. nusical premiere and the excellent ensuing episodes are Of course, we're n any indication of what is to follow, then but give them a bre this is one gamble that may have paid an hour. off: Sometimes thei REVIEW inous Seapods Tonight The Blind Pig Tickets are $5 During the spring, the band hooked up with Sony powerhouse Moe., open- ing for them at a sold out Irving Plaza in New York City. In June, guitarist Max Verna and bassist Tom Pirozzi teamed up with members of moe. and Moon Boot Lover on an acoustic tour through the northeast. In a recent telephone interview with The Michigan Daily, bassist Tom Pirozzi said the Seapods are known for their change-of-pace shows. This is brought about somewhat by the bands influences, "which range anywhere from the Chili Peppers to Miles Davis to Frank Zappa to Wilco," he said. Currently, the band is in the midst of a three-month-long national tour, that began in Saranac Lake, N.Y., near the band's base of operations at Albany. "Our shows tend to get a little crazy, so I'd recommend that people come with an open mind". - Tom Pirozzi, Bassist for The Ominous Seapods HORDE., but in some ways that works to our advantage,". Pirozzi said. "Our fan base is very personal" A typical Seapods set is non-exis- tent, but Pirozzi said seven or eight of "Jet Smooth Ride"'s tunes m occasional appearances dur, shows, as do a few covers by The Who. Pirozzi said the live performance is what made The Ominous-Seapods who they are, and even though the album speaks well of them, a live Under the bill of the Merry Danksters (a play off Ken Kesey's "Merry Pranksters"), the artists sold out such famous venues as the Wetlands Preserve in New York City. More important, the Seapods were one of the featured bands at The Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival in Upstate New York in late June. The two-day festival featured such bands as moe. and Strangefolk and was an enormous success and positive adventure for the Seapods.Certainly on-the-road growth has played a huge factor in the Pods' distinct sound and crazy live shows. The group averages about 200 live shows a year. The tour is highlighted by a two-week stretch of opening for Sister Hazel, a planned Halloween Night performance at Gunnerz in Iowa City and the band's first trip out west in late November. Pirozzi said the independent label route has worked out well for the group, and in some ways is better. "We're grass roots in the truest sense. We don't have the big guns like other bands have to get us on huge festivals like show speaks volumes. "Our shows tend to get a little crazy, so I'd recommend that people come with an open mind," he said. "We like to see people moved by the music," Pirozzi s . "It's always nice when you can tell people are thinking 'holy shit, what are these guys doing?!' Those curious individuals are advised to head down to The Blind Pig, where the reasonable cover charge will no doubt'be repaid and then some by the Pods' energy and solid groove. )r the best in its fourth season Y ve thought that the ing the emergency start wildly shooting weapon? Missed that s a little unrealistic w safe are our hospi- s from outside can Arates how external influences hinder the work of med- ical staff. In this case it was, gang related, but the same analogy could be applied to forces such as drug or alcohol abuse. ot talking depth here, ak - they only have instructional tone of Interesting, because gambling is what "Chicago Hope" is all about. This show takes a chance on the fact hat there are some viewers who might actually want a program providing room for discussion, rather than pure escapism. One recent episode had Drs. McNeil (Mark Harmon) and Shutt (Adam Arkin) debating the pros and cons of potentially hazardous brain surgery. McNeil advocated instinct over reason - of course, he is "Chicago Hope"'s resident compulsive gambler, so relia- bility in such matters is questionable. Happily, in this instance he is proved right, yet, in the process, the whole debate of scientific fact versus human instincts is placed firmly in the spot- light. . Further topical debates are incorpo- rated into the show through the regular characters' interpersonal relationships. Dr. Watters (Emmy-winner Hector Elizondo) is confronted with the knowl- edge that a wealthy friend has pur- chased a donor heart. As staff clash over the ethics of performing the proce- dure, the audience is left to wonder just who decides where the organs go. How is one life assessed as more valuable than another? Once the wealthy can buy organs, will healthcare become a "sur- vival of the fittest" battleground? Think of the current issues surrounding Medicaid, welfare programs, budget cuts, etc. and you begin to realize the relevance of such drama. There is so much going on, and the action moves so quickly, that one can be forgiven for missing what seem like the show can become tedious, and the trite, "life is a gamble" analogy could have been avoided. Anyone willing to drive on the freeway doesn't need "Chicago Hope" to know that. But the continued success of the show is due to the fact that it can be appreciated on many different levels. You want entertainment? There's the on-and-off romance between Nurse Grad (Jayne Brook) and Dr. Billy Kronk (Peter Berg). You want drama? There's the gangland shooting, which seems to somehow miraculously miss any regular cast members. But then, if television gave us reality, how many people would actually still watch it? For those who feel most comfortable with escapism, "Chicago Hope" has many of the required elements. It can be a little too sentimental - does any- one really think that a patient could walk five minutes after brain surgery, with no anesthetic, let alone play ball with his son? It has a bad boy, maverick doctor. I mean, does McNeil really have to shoot dice on his break? Even if it fits in nicely with the gambling theme, do we really feel comfortable with a doctor willing to risk it all? And the writ'sr; are not adverse to throwing in a few ii ppy endings and emotional, tug- at-the-heartstrings routines, just to make you remember that happy end- ings are what sell. For all its faults, "Chicago Hope" remains that rare commodity - a tele- vision show that gambles with viewers and actually wins respect. Now that's something you don't see everyday. Perhaps a miracle has occurred after all. n I i a J j " \ +.I o i i i i } % N m° o N f a C E ; m° i , .-a.,s . N.. phone: 663.5800 1140 south university (above goodtime chadeys), AA mon.-thurs.: 9:00a-10:00p sundays 1 fri. & sat.: 9:00a-11:00p 11:00a-8:000 . S3 ? t~l#AWM A3.c fTUBTHU'PEii x b4; " ts~giig Wlir ease RECORDS KMFDM -.9, Adam Arkin, Christine Lahtl, Mark Harmon, Hector Elizondo and Rocky Carroll star in "Chicago Hope" as it takes a chance on success on Wednesday nights. r ovr ,96c(s f xfock .. ct ('OW T~tkV ( 5.. .. "I OPEN 8AtAIQ08 PtM wth kt M MdkMSecurity peposit f * . 'Q i , I e1 l AIN 0fiW'Y I I [