8 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, November 19, 1997 NBC proves it's not hip to be 'Square' By Melanie Cohen Daily Arts Writer When is NBC going to realize that strategically placing a new show in between "Friends" and "Seinfeld" does not work? So far, management at NBC has thrown shows like "Boston Common" and "The Single Guy" at "Friends" and "Seinfeld" fans. Obviously, the R technique did not work; instead of being the lazy television junkiesL that NBC had anticipated, we jumped right off our couches dur- ing the half hour between our favorite sitcoms. Some of us caught up on our foreign language work, phoned our parents or took power naps. With the help of a VCR, some of us skip the terrible "in- between" and fast forward the commercials as well. Since NBC never fooled us in the first place with their "in-between" show, it is not surprising that most, f us have already realized we should be getting off the couch during "Union Square." But, new laws allow NBC to own studios and TV shows. NBC owns "Union Square," and thus, can tor- iue us by keeping it on.the air for an extended period ot me. The theme of the new sitcom is typical. It takes place in a New York City diner. There are no new 4 ul T twists. The show has jumped on the bandwagon of wannabe"Friends," "Seinfeld" or "Cheers" type shows. "Union Square" is cute, however, it is not funny or exceptional. The premiere of"Union Square" was mildly charm- ing. We were not sure whether we liked it or not. In fact, many of us taped it along with "Friends" and E V I E W "Seinfeld" the last week. Unless something drastic is done to nion Square improve the new show, that prob- NBC ably won't happen again. For the past few weeks, it has Thursdays at 8:sanp.m. become apparent that the seem- ingly multi-cultural cast was stereotypical and slightly ridiculous. There's the cook, Jack Pappas, a sexy, tight-shirted, tight jeaned, Latin ex-convict. Played by Jim Pirri, Jack, who is somewhat of a gigolo, had an affair with his parole officer's cheesy daughter. Vince, the owner of the restaurant, is an archetypal rasta man, played by Jeffrey Anderson- Gunter. It is, however, very difficult to understand Vince's overly affected accent. The show also features an annoying aspiring actress named Gabby (Constance Marie). Although the variety of characters sound like good ideas, they simply do nog mesh well. It is evident that there is no chemistry whatsoever between the stars of the show. There was no plot to even remotely draw viewers into the show. The little things in the show that were supposed to be funny were completely blown out of proportion. Last week, we were all re-assured that the plot does not thicken. Vince's diner is supposed to be a haven for struggling artists and students who live downtown. In reality, the diner set is filled with stupid, terrible actors. Thus far, the most exciting storylines have been whether or not Albie (Jonathan Slavin), the waiter, will sneeze in the cuisine or how many fake-breasted women can Jack sleep with in one episode. In desper- ately attempting to create a reality-based atmosphere, the show actually features ludicrous, brainless unreal- istic storylines. If "Union Square" is not completely revamped, it will soon join the ranks of "Boston Common," which lasted only one horrible season. Just six weeks into its horrible debut season, there's already a "Union Square" casualty: struggling play- wright/leading man Michael Landes, who is most likely not sitting at home in front of the TV on Thursdays at 8:30. Maybe, NBC will learn that in order to keep us in front of the TV for the "in-between" they have to come up with a show that is good enough for us. The cast of "Union Square" serves up mediocrity for one painful half hour every Thursday between "Friends" and "Seinfeld." Loomer play spotlights three ladies in 'Waiting'' By Laura Layfer sion follows soon becomes serious as For The Daily they challenge each other to answer this Have you ever thought that the per- question. son sitting next to you in the doctor's Victoria is told by her domineering office was from another era? Lisa husband that her ovaries are the prob- Loomer's play lem behind the "The Waiting psychological Room," proves that PR E V I E W breakdowns she you were right, and \..e xitin Room experiences, then some. e Waiting Room although her The comedy Thursday through Saturday research on opens with three ti p.m., sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Freudian theories women sitting in Performance Network, $12 for students has forced her to the waiting room of differ in opinion. a doctor's office: Victoria, a tightly Forgiveness had her feet bound from corseted, hysterical Victorian woman, the time she was a young girl because in waiting to have her ovaries removed in her culture it is considered a symbol of hopes of curing her hysteria; beauty. For the benefit of her husband's Forgiveness, a wealthy 18th century pleasure, she wants to have her toe Chinese woman with bound feet, hop- replaced and endure the pain that bind- ing to have her toe re-implanted; and ing brings just to make him happy at the Wanda, a contemporary New Jersey expense of her misery. bachelorette, having problems with the Wanda, a single woman, is continu- latest of her breast augmentations. ously improving her looks in hopes of As they make small talk while wait- finding that someone special. What she ing to see the doctor, light waiting room finds instead is breast cancer that has conversation turns into a deeper exami- spread wildly enough to require the ulti- nation of, as Loomer says, "who is in mate threat: a mastectomy. control of what happens to whose bod- The contrasting consequences that ies?" The humorous path their discus- have brought these women to the doctor present a search for more answers about the balance of power between men and women, between Eastern and Western cultures, and between orthodox and unorthodox medicine. The director Susan Regan asked, "what is beauty and who has defined it?" While corsets nearly killed women in eaier times, today we have breast implants that offer just as much risk. And all for the price of looking terrific in the eyes of whom? Lisa Loomer's play offers one further issue that lurks beyond that of self- mutilation in the pursuit of beauty, and that is the medical business in and of itself. The doctor himself begins to wonder the value of his craft; he won- ders if it is a healing art, a moneymak- ing business, or manipulation of one person's body to satisfy the desires of another. The play, which won the 1994 Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, has a les- son for all of us. As the Jamaican nurse who attends to the doctor best puts it: "Mother nature has a cure for every- thing except human nature.' It becomes clear that it is a treatment only we as individuals car discover. Christine Huddle stars In "Waiting." The next time you're in the doctor's waiting room, listening for your name to be called, pay a little more attention to that stranger sitting next to you. The play will feature an American Sign Language interpreter at the m nee performances on Sunday, Nov.3. Boyz II Men's sound evolves on latest CD Boyz Ii Men Evolution Motown The name Boyz II Men has become synonymous with good music. Ever since its 1991 debut album "Cooleyhighharmony," the group has been on a non-stop rise to the top. With Boyz 11 Men's debut came the rebirth of the quartet and a capella sound, which has come to be the group's signature. During this time we have watched the group make and break records with songs like "End of The Road" and "One Sweet Day" (a collabo- ration with Mariah Carey), grab every music award imag- inable and sing for the likes of every- one from the audience at the Atlanta Olympic Games to Pope John Paul II. For most groups, living up to this type of reputation would be almost impossi- ble, but for Boyz I1 Men it's all in a day's work. The group's current CD, "Evolution," is a testimony of its ascension to the next level. On it, the group enters a new realm and embraces manhood and maturity wholeheartedly. From the very title of the CD you know that a change has taken place. "Evolution" is almost a total departure from what audiences have become accustomed to hearing from Boyz I1 Men. On the very first song "Doin' Just Fine," the * group steps away from that woe-is-me type of song and confidently lets old flames know that life without them is all right. "4 Seasons of Loneliness," the first single off the CD, is much more in keeping with the Boyz 11 Men persona. The group blends beautifully harmonious vocals together to sing of the heart break and loneliness which stems from ended relationships. Since the group has long been known < m /] Wanya Morris, Nate Morris, Shawn Stockman and Michael S. McCary have matured from boys to men since their 1991 debut. for its squeaky clean, good-boy image, One of the more surprisingagson it would seem highly unlikely that it the CD is "Human II (Don't tMi Your would team up with "bad boy" Sean Back On Me)." As its name' ggests, "Puffy" Combs, right? Well, indeed the the song is some what of an exension group does, for three songs, in fact. The . of "Human" by the Human League. In most impressive of the three being "To keeping with the theme of its preheces- The Limit" where the group sensuously sor, the group begs forgiveness for the sings of the limits it will go to to keep a crime of infidelity. woman happily satisfied. This Boyz II "Evolution" will, no doubt, keep Men/Puff Daddy collaboration is noth- Boyz 11 Men on that road of stccess ing short of impressive. that its been cruising for the pt Nowadays, what is any CD without a years. With stellar vocal performances, remake? In keeping with this current skillfully crafted musical arrangements trend, Boyz I Men chose one near and and the influence of such producrs as dear to its heart "Can You Stand The Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Babyface, Rain," first sung by New Edition. The this CD is bound to become a fdiorite group does this one a Capella style amongst fans. snowing that its greatest asset is simply The group's attempt to tes new the power of pure voice. waters is successful; Boyz 11 Men The Boyz have also included a few breaks new ground without alienating songs on this CD which were definitely loyal, long-time fans. "Evolution" meant to make you dance. Songs like expresses how Boyz II Men has evolv* "Can't Let Her Go," "Baby C'mon" and both personally and musically ovr the "All Night Long," with their mid-to up- years. But some things, like the up's tempo beats and energetic sounds will ability to keep producing good usic, most likely have your shakin' your hips, never change. 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