8 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, February 25, 1998
'Solar' lights up Wednesdays
By Michael Kegler
For the Daily
The Blind Pig has traditionally
been considered a haven for alterna-
tive rock in Ann Arbor. Indeed, this
humble venue has hosted concerts by
such alternative giants as Pearl Jam
and Nirvana.
Now, through the efforts of an
ambitious promoter, the Blind Pig is
poised to spawn a resurgence of the
techno underground that has van-
ished from Ann Arbor.
"Solar," which takes place every
Wednesday at the Blind Pig, offers
Ann Arbor residents inexpensive
access to some of the Detroit area's
finest DJs. Last Wednesday, the
crowd was treated to the spinning of
Alex Metro, Mike Geiger and resi-
dent DJ Disco D.
There was something here for all
tastes in electronic dance music,
including house, booty and drum and
bass. Those in attendance were treat-
ed to some uplifting Chicago house.
a drum and bass rendition of Puff
Daddy's "It's All About the
Benjamins" and a booty mix on par
with those aired by Detroit radio sta-
tions 97.9 and 105.9 FM.
Promoter John Layne promises
that "Solar," which drew a crowd of
more than 200 people on Feb. 11,
will only improve during the upcom-
ing months. In the future, Layne
anticipates an improved light system.
drink specials, listening parties and
high profile DJs.
By drawing on his past promoting
experience with Detroit companies
Ritual and Motor. Layne said he
hopes to offer an alternative to other
local establishments such as Rick's
and the
Cafe, and, in the
process, revive
Solar the Ann Arbor
underground.
Blind Pig The most
Tonight interesting thing
about this past
Wednesday's
"Solar" was the
diverse crowd,
which ranged
from members
of the Greek
system to die-
hard ravers. Although this seens
like an awkward combination, it was
evident that black stretch pants and
jitting can indeed go together.
The ravers seemed eager for a
chance to see some of Detroit's pre-
mier DJs, without the $20 cover
charge one finds at most Detroit par-
ties. But as one bartender noted, the
crowd was noticeably younger than
usual, and this may be a turn-off to
some patrons accustomed to a more
mature bar crowd.
A variety of people in attendance
at "Solar" seemed pleased with the
night's proceedings. "I enjoyed the
atmosphere, as well as the booty
music," LSA first-year student Shan
Maissanid said. "I'd definitely consid-
er coming back." If anything, many
cited the meager S5 cover charge t
reason enough to return in the futurN
Tonight offers a special treat for
fans of booty music - the renowned
DJ Godfather. The Face, a popular
British magazine focusing on music
culture, recently ran a feature article
on the Detroit bass scene featuring
the accomplished DJ.
Along with the Warehouse night-
club and DJ Gary Chandler, DJ
Godfather received praise from the
British publication.
Such international attention is ek
dence that Detroit's booty scene- ha
a good thing going, and one shbud
think twice before missing IJ
Godfather's set tonight at "SoLar
Godfather's mix tapes are any indica-
tion of what to expect in his, live
show, one can expect infectious jams
from the Detroit, Atlanta and Mianji
booty scenes. In addition to J
Godfather, tonight will featurdg
spinning jungle and Disco D spn
ning house and booty.
With a diverse crowd, a pletibr
of musical offerings and a $5 cover
charge, the Blind Pig offers a lo-
risk alternative for those seekiga
good time on Wednesday nights.
Courtesyof Comedy Cenra
Former "SportsCenter" personality Craig Kilborn now shares moments on "The Daily Show," weeknights at 11 p.m.
lb headlines th hlaity
By Ed Sholinsky
Fur the Iaily
If one believes NBC, no other network has anything
funny on TV --everything the network run is "must see."
When one separates fact from fiction, or compares an
NBC program to Comedy Central's "The Daily Show,"
the truth is that most of the comedies on NBC - or any
other network for that matter - are not that funny.
With its acid humor and its smart, witty host Craig
Kilborn, "The Daily Show" jokes about everything
sacred, from religion to the president. Recently, Clinton
has been the biggest target (surprise!) and Kilborn has
dubbed the recent presidential scandal "Tailgate '98."
The funniest part of "The Daily Show" is its opening
segment. "teadlines." where Kilborn tailors the news to
his perspective. This sarcastic twist skewers everyone
from Axl Rose to John Travolta to crippled golfer Casey
Martin. His no-holds-barred approach can leave one reel-
ing from shock or snorting from laughter, and, on a good
day, both.
But the fun does not stop there. Weekly, "The Daily
Show" runs a segment called "God Stuff." Daily Show
Correspondent A. Whitney Brown pokes fun at the more
ridiculous aspects of religion. This past week, he took on
the Catholic Church's use of billboards and TV commer-
cials to find priests. At one point, he asks the priest in
charge of the advertising campaign what the benefits are
- the priest told him health insurance.
After launching into "In Other News," a rehashing of
"Headlines," Kilborn interviews his celebrity guest. This
past week he had Richard Lewis, Dan Cortese, Marlon
Wayans and Gordon Elliot on the show. While the inter-
views can be dry and humorless (depending on the guest
and how into the interview he or she is), "Five Questions"
is always hilarious. While it might seem benign enough,
"Five Questions" is designed to point out just how igno-
rant celebrities are, despite how intellectual they act.
Questions range from vocabulary to sports trivia to
"Boxers or briefs?"
After "Five Questions," Kilborn
does the third incarnation of
The Daily Fl"Headlines," called "This Just In."
Is week. "This Just In~ made fun
of Ronald Regan and Andy Warhol.
*** Who says there isn't anything good
Comedy Central oi TV?
weeknights at 1 The show ends with "Your
Moment of Zen" that details a most
un-Zen-like moment such as a rhino
giving birth. Mix this with Kilborn
Elliot dancing , and you have one of
the funniest shows on TV
"The Daily Show" manages to be
smart, daring and funny, while most shows cannot even
pull off one of those. While David Letterman and Jay Leno
have been slipping in humor in recent years, and Conan
O'Brien and "Politically Incorrect" are on at inhuman
hours, Kilborn is the only late night show worth watching.
Mowry 's Guy' needs to get smart
By Jessica Simmons
Daily Arts Writer
He's a young genius whose jump
from fourth grade to high school has
turrted his family upside-down. No,
he's not Doogie Howser. He's 10-
year-old T.J. Henderson on the com-
edy television series "Smart Guy."
"Smart Guy," aired on the WB net-
work, stars Tahj Mowry as young T.J.
The cast also includes John Marshall
Jones as T.J.'s widowed father Floyd
Henderson, Essence Atkins as T.J.'s
older sister Yvette, Jason Weaver as
his older brother
4
adl!1 lyesA
Mo S a 4
cm
V MICHIGAN
h g)
REC@RDS
" , p" p! real music,! p °
- " phone: 663.5800
114 south university (above goodtime chadeys), AA
mon thurs.:9:00a-0:D eundas J f
~4~ 1 sa.9:a-1:p j, +cw'i94o&T
I I(I )
,,l +* 3 ..o T
\~3O9 ftvr o
tj 0 e 0 -915C icAtf
IL hI Ie31kt.. a t'icte t
Marcus and
. Ons Mrcus' prt-
Smart n er - i n- c r me
GUY Morris "Mo
Tibbs.
SSmart G uy
n its second
Wednesdays at 8:30 sesreoes
season,. revolves
around T.J.s
ability to cope
with being a
pint -sized
genius in an
unfamiliar and
hectic teenage world. Further con-
flicts arise When he s shipped into his
brother and sister s high school and
sometiimrrs even appears in MarcUS'
classes.
When watching "Smart Guy " a
couple problems become ev ident
rather quickly - including the
unlikely story lines. In a recent
episode, T.J. was selected as a
research intern to help with the lin-
guistic development of a chim-
panzee. When the chimpanzee didn't
develop as rapidly as had been
expected, T.J. was permitted to take
him home, unbeknownst to his
father, for more intensive study ses-
sions. Of course, the chimp created a
little monkey business of his own by
getting ito a great deal of mischief.
Blesicdes tire story ire being puper
thin and predictable, it simply wasn't
funny - a real problem in a comedy
series.
Also problematic is the fact that the
supportiig cast outshines the star.
'although Mowry is a cute and talented
actor, he really doesn't belong in the
starring role in a comedy series. This is
made even more evident when he has
an extremely talented and funny sup-
porting cast backing him.
Despite its many problems, "Smart
Guy" isn't a total loss. The comic
combination of Marcus and Mo is a
definite plus. Jason Weaver, former-
CounesyoTti
The cast of The WB's "Smart Guy."
ly of the comedy series "Thea,";ar
Omar Gooding. who comes frow
family of talented entertainers. sh
in their roles as Marcus and Mo. 1Th
twosome's humor and quick wit ar
enough to keep the show from sink
ing completely.
While "Smart Guy" may be a h
among younger viewers, this probabl
won't be true for anyone over the age o
12. So unless you're an eight-year-oh
looking for an excuse to extend you
bedtime curfew on Wednesday nig
you may want to consider looking
another show.
=pig!bek
rr!aveI Saf~
l (tA ploekeit Nts tp
'Titanic' sinks record'
LOS ANGELES (AP) Late
Monday night, at a theater somewhere
me the world, "Titanic" becuame the
biggest noneymaker in movie history.
breaking the global box-office record
set by "Jurassic Park."
24th Century Fox said yesterday the
disaster epic has grossed more than
5919.3 million worldwide, vs. 5913.i
million for "Jurassic Park." And
"Titanic" did it in just 10 weeks.
This from a movie in which you
know the boat's going to sink, the
hero's going to die and it will take more
than three hours for the story to be told.
The movie's appeal cannot be mea-
sured in ticket sales alone. "Titanic"
cuts a far wider swath than just film:
it's a pop culture phenomenon reaching
into music, tourism, teen-age obsession
and the very essence of what it means
to be swept away.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and
Kate Winslet as young lovers ou the
doomed ship, "Titanic" could enti
selling wore than $1.2 billion in ticke
analysts say.
The movie also is on track to break
the domestic box-office record of S461
million set by the 1977 release and sub.
sequent re-releases of "Star Wars."
Fox, the studio behind "Star Wars'
produced "Titanic," which cost an esti
mated $200 million, with Paramounr
Pictures. Each company is expected tc
enjoy profits of at least $200 millicd
industry experts say.
"Titanic" soon will be shown or
some 200 screens in China, believed
the widest release for a Western film ir
that country. President Jiang Zemir
reportedly enjoyed a private screening
so much he asked for another showing
for friends.
SIM
. °
Lola w Can" WE A* st uWV'tV
F' .e [ a
V &'A tetee
0F
Travel
1218 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor
(734) 998-0200
(below Tower Records)
MICHIGAN
STUDENT
ASSEMBLY
WINTER '98 ELECTIONS
March18 & 19
ANY STUDENT G E rU
STOP BY THE MSA OFFICE 3909 MICHIGAN UNION FOR
A CANDIDATE'S PACKET
FILING DEADLINE: 5:00 PM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
MSA President A Vice President
(Elected together as a slate)
MSA Representatives in:
17 ioVs a lm,
, , Xra ec. 0,1 __
Architecture -
Business -
Law-
LSA -
SNR E -
Pharmacy -
1
1
1
9
1
1
Art & Design -
Engineering -
Medicine -
Nursing -
Rackham -
1
2
1
1
4
Questions? Email rules.coinm@umich.edu