46 - The Michigan Daily Weeked Magazine - Thursday, November 19, 1998 W 0 Ex-Gargoyle writers bring unique humor to campus TV The Michigan Daily Wee ® State of the Arts A FAILURE TO COMMUNIC] "Blast Off to Your imagination" cast members do it without pants - Just ask J.D. Ryznar. THE MICHIGAN DAILY ONUNE: MORE THAN I MILLION SERVED AROUND THE GLOBE EVERY YEAR. W WWMICHI- GA NDAIL Y.COM Show's first install- ment is scheduled to air this week on WOLV By Sasha Higgins Daily Arts Writer In times of chilling winter weath- er, stressful study sessions and shameful Saturday Night Live episodes, everyone needs a good laugh. Alas, fear not, humor deprived, get ready to blast off to a half hour of Ann Arbor's very own comedic talent. "Blast Off to Your Imagination" is the brand-new television creation of a group of students most recently known for their contributions to Gargoyle Magazine. After a dis- agreement with the Board of Student Publications former Gargoyle staffers left the magazine to apply their talent elsewhere in the comedic realm. At WOLV, the Michigan a n S t u d e n t "h t' Assembly-fund- - ed student tele- Of numO vision networke they were able aspired to transfer their humor to resi- sarca dence hall tele- - ly! vision screens.' As with any shift of artistic Co-creator, expression, there was an adjustment peri- od needed for them to go from writ- ten to spoken humor. But cast mem- bers say they are finding the new video medium very friendly. "WOLV pretty much bends over backwards for us," said LSA senior and writer/performer Andy Schlegel. Cast members also have to collab- orate with one another. The program is to consist of a series of sketches, written and performed by the eight cast members. "The show is really a cooperative process," said Schlegel. "Everybody writes the skits, and everybody Jcts..A J.D. Ryznar, an LSA junior and writer/performer, explained that the acts are not always the work of just one person, but are often the prod- uct of multiple inputs. "Sometimes we talk about an idea together," said Ryznar, "and then come up with a skit." There is not a theme to the shows as of yet, but Schlegel said there has been talk of giving themes to their shows as their previous contribu- tions to the magazine had. LSA junior and writer/performer Shek Baker said the show was "sim- ilar to Saturday Night Live, but closer to Kids in the Hall." Schlegel explained the humor to be "along the lines of Conan O'Brien and The Simpsons." "That's the kind of humor we have aspired to create - sarcastic and wacky," said Schlegel. The show includes references to features of America's ever-humor- A few of weeks ago, one of my teach- ers commented on how e-mail is one of the lowest forms of communication. At first, I brushed the comment aside; I didn't consider it much. But in light of recent events such as the new Nora Ephron romantic-comedy "You've Got Mail;' I am beginning to see the absolute truth in the statement. The film, which is slated to open Dec. 18, stars that popular movie couple Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in a remake of the "The Shop Around the Corner." Ryan and Hanks are bookstore owners who dislike each other in person, but without knowing it, are having an love affair over e-mail. Now, isn't that romantic? Close, but not quite. I have heard all sorts of stories about how people have met their mates elec- tronically, and I've also heard those truly moving tales of those who have gone so far as to marry their Net friend, but I'm sorry, I just don't get it. I have to give credit to good ol' Ma Bell and the postal service on this one; at least we can tell something about someone's voice, or their penmanship for that matter, that doesn't quite work on the Pine, AOL or even Hotmail systems. With this film, it just takes the classic romance (even to the point of reuniting Nora Ephron, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks), and crushes it with technologi- cal innovations - and these innovations are even digitally enhancing the film. Now, don't get me wrong here. E-mail has its definite pluses. There are those early moments of a potentially romantic relationship when you and your poten- tially significant other send cutesy little e-mails about how was just so much fun you had to send a one-line com- ment about it. You may even Kristin Long go so far as to Daily Arts Editor save it in some little folder or add it to the 900 messages you save in your Inbox - that is, until the person is no longer intriguing to you, and that lit- tle "D" key becomes all too handy. Yes, I'm sure you know what I mean. Granted, this can make a non-roman- tic (and old-fashioned romantics, too, for that matter) almost "yak" as a wise indi- vidual once said to me, but you know so many of you do it - don't even try and deny it. Then there are those times when friends send friends little electronic mes- sages that make the recipient laugh while sitting in a practically empty computer lab, looking like a complete fool, annoy- ing those paper-writing fiends that are trying to work so hard. E-mail is a success then too, of course. If only to make us laugh hysterically all by ourselves, that's a gift. I'll give it to its innovators merely because of this. And then there are those messages to friends that aren't within telephone local calling range. E-mail can be a lifesaver here, although at times it can fail to cap- ture the ultimate tone of the message, and can land one in more trouble than anything if the sarcasm isn't properly noted. But let's get to the beef of my problem here. First of all, Godzilla. While those not on the University e-mail system may not have had the pleasure of making the acquaintance with her, Godzilla is clear- ly a bitch. Sorry for the use of the color- ful metaphor, but I know of no other word to describe this clear disruption in my electronic mail life. It's frustrating to know that there is this hidden force that can block the rite of passage of messages ous pop culture, the kind r we have to create estic and and some current events. But cast members try not to dwell on such topics, seeking more variety in their off- beat work. "References to current events tend to date humor," said Baker. All skits are scripted, and the writers Top 10 videos (Last week's top videos and the number of weeks released) 'g THE PERFECT GUY GIFT! Biker Knives has top quality knives priced from $39.95 to $89.95 Check out our Web site or give us a call today! - Andy Schlegel "Blast Off to Your Imagination" I U 4 IF Q M'/ The UCon Gaming Convention 20-22 November 1998 Ann Arbor, MI Proud to be U-CON'S #1 sponsor! Come by our booth for the best in New & Used Gaming Cards, & Minis! Sat Nov. 2110-8, Sun Nov. 22 10-6 Or Come by the store for the best in: Comics, Anime, Hong Kong Action Movies, New & Used Gaming, Magic The Gathering, Games Workshop Minis & More. M-Th: 11-9 F & Sat: 11 am-Midnight Sunday: Noon-7 1202S. University 734-998-0547 underw@ic.net have been working on them since September. "Hopefully we can get about four shows out this year," said Ryznar. The first "Blast Off to Your Imagination" is scheduled to air sometime this week on WOLV-TV. The cast members are hoping to have 15-minute segments before and after their "season premiere" to introduce themselves and the nature of their work and of their humor. So, they say, sit back. Turn the old SNL re-runs off for good, and dis- cover just how funny this university can be. Go ahead, rediscover how loud you can laugh - it's good for you. 1. "The X-Files," FoxVideo 2. "A Perfect Murder," Warner Bros. 3. "Deep Impact," Paramount 4. "Hope Floats," FoxVideo 5. "City of Angels," Warner Bros. 6. "Mercury Rising," Universal Studios 7. "Wild Things," Columbia TriStar 8. "Lost In Space," New Line 9. "Species II," MGM/UA 10. "Primary Colors," Universal Studios Source: Billboard Magazine Top 10 Albums (Billboard's top albums for the week) 1. Alanis Morissette, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" 2. U2, "The Best of 1980-1990/ The B-Sides" 3. Jay-Z, "Vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life" 4. Celine Dion, "These Are Special Times" 5. Soundtrack, "Belly" 6. 'N Sync, "'N Sync" 7. Mia X, "Mama Drama" 8. Dru Hill, "Enter The Dru" 9. Shania Twain, "Come On Over" 10. Lauryn Hill, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" Source: Billboard Magazine to and from my acc Granted, she has year, and I hear it's graciously receivec there are acquaint the not-so-great pk with her this semes There are also ti use e-mail to rant ar whom they are ang might as well com your discontent and the lines of"uga ug likely be a greater discontent. Not only do I se easy route for thos that whole confront though there are n1 communication tha and bam- it's alm a debate. I just don't unde Yes, I'll admit td my e-mail somewh day. Yes, 1 am a b extent, but you w incredibly nasty me even if they really i And this whol romance has got mi But, hey, if it work Top 10 m (Last week's top gro 1. "The Waterb< 2. "I Still Know 3. "Meet Joe BI 4. "Thege, 20 5. "Antz," Drea 6. "I'll Be Home 7. "Pleasantvilk 8. "The Wizard 9. "Living Out L 10. "Practical M Top 10 Be (The week's best-sell 1. "A Man in Ful 2. "When the Wi 3. "The Path of I 4. "The Vampire, 5. "The Poisonw 6. "Bag of Bone 7. "Mirror Image 8. "All Through t 9. "Hammer of D 10. "Memoirs of Top 10 Si (Billboard's top song 1. Lauryn Hill, "D 2. Divine, "Lately 3. 98 Degrees, "I 4. Monica, "That 5. Deborah Cox," 6. Barenaked Lad 7. Dru Hill, "How 8. Jennifer Paige, 9. Faith Hill, "Thi 10. Edwin McCail jaRA.i)ROSE FCRCTON S * Ann Arbor's only Body Piercer with expert consultation and after-care checkups " Omamental piercing only (no genital or mouth piercing) " Piercings available with gold jewelry . Hand-made arts, Body jewelry and much more " Student discounts 109 S. Fourth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI (734) 669-0900 E-Mail: farahrose@mindspring.com