1OB .- Thie .M ih' airl y We ekAd M g e °Tt ursdaS, November 11998 0 C C The Michigan Daily eeken Magazine TV writers pick faves for sweeps Children's Theatre packs lessons in e y s t Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox omer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Mge represent everything good about TV today. Author of: Down These Mean Streets 1:30-2:30 Dialogue Ostifun Room West Quad 3prm5pm Keynote Address Wedge Room West Quad Sponsored by: By Michael Galloway Daily TV/New Media Editor November means football and turkey to some, but to network executives, it means high stress and Pepto Bismol. During sweeps month, networks run the newest and best episodes of this season's programming to pull in Nielsen ratings and commercial dollars. But where does that leave the poor innocent viewer, as the networks tempt him or her with hype and false promises of something good on TV? To determine what is truly worthy of the viewer's time, each member of the TV/New Media staff picked five favorite shows. The votes were counted, and the results represent the staff's general con- sensus of the best shows out this season. EComing in at number five is "South Park" (Wednesdays, 10 p.m., Comedy Central). If crude language was an art form, episodes of this show would be on display in the Louvre. Of course, no one's watching "South Park" for aesthetic reasons anyway. What is its secret for success? Is it Stan retching around his girlfriend, Wendy? Is it Kenny, who can't say anything because his words are muf- fled through his red hood? No, "South Park" owes it all to Eric Cartman, that fat little, cheesy poof-ingesting boy whose indescribable voice has cap- tured the heart of the nation ... and is holding it for ransom. While "South Park" has had some strikeouts, such as the April Fool's debacle, recent episodes have been the highest grade of lowbrow humor. USpeaking of capturing hearts, Keri Russell is the talk of tinsel town and touted by "TV Guide" as tomor- row's titan of the silver and small screens. But even leaving the predic- tions to the Psychic Friends Network, she's enjoying a modicum of success as the title character on the WB net- work's "Felicity" (Tuesdays, 9 p.m.) Strong acting and good dialogue work well with the show's melodrama, depending on how much you relate to Felicity Porter's emotional predica- ments in college. "Dawson's Creek" and "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" have been ratings winners for the WB, but "Felicity"'s critical acclaim has begun to justify its existence .to the general public. Its quality and popularity earns it the number four spot. EAt number three, law dramas "Law & Order" (Wednesdays, 10 p.m., NBC) and "The Practice" (Sundays, 10 p.m., ABC) tie. "L & 0" is consistently good, never straying far from its simple formulaic workout that is really a stroke of genius. The first half of the show follows the police in their investigation of a crime, and the rest of the show tracks the state's prosecution. Mix in lies, poli- tics, corruption, human error, legal (and extralegal) dealing and tough guy bravado, plus good acting, great writ- ing and a who-done-it air with the nor- mal tension of courtroom drams to produce an entertaining hour. "The Practice" is much more of a soap opera drama than "L & 0." It moves to the other side of the courtroom, criminal defense and follows a small but growing Boston firm that plays the dirty tricks expected from defense lawyers, pushing the line without crossing it. Its average between excellent and mediocre episodes makes "The Practice" about as good as "L & O," but its potential is much greater. EAt number two, and after a some- what disappointing big-screen film ver- sion this summer, "The X-Files" (Sundays, 9 p.m., FOX) is still a favorite blend of science fiction and horror. "The truth is out there," alright, but Scully and Mulder are no longer on the X-Files. They're doing (gasp) actual FBI cases, at least between episodes. The show is now based on the strange things that these two somehow still encounter. While this show has always been fun, suspenseful and scary, the best episodes are the tongue-in-cheek jabs that the show takes at itself, such as "Jose Chung in Outer Space," "Humbug" and last season's "Bad Blood." EAnd at number one, the reigning champ of television is not even a live- action show. "The Simpsons" (Sundays, 8 p.m., FOX) has brought its blend of cartoon slapstick and intelli- gent political satire to millions of view- ers for nine seasons and it continues putting out quality comedy in its 10th season. Who doesn't know that 6 p.m. is the time to gather round the television for a recommended daily dose of "Simpsons" reruns? Who hasn't given a "D'oh" or a "Woohoo!" in defeat or tri- umph, respectively, or a "Mmmmm ... (something edible)" or a "Ooooohhh ... (something edible)?" Homer Simpson is a national treasure. So ends the Daily TV staff's rec- ommendations for tried-and-true television, just in time for sweeps month and the most attention-grab- bing, tear-jerking, heart-stopping episodes. By Cortney Dueweke Daily Arts Writer How do you successfully teach kids a lesson and entertain them at the same time? The University's Children's Theatre troupe seems to think the most effective way is through act- ing. Children's Theatre began in 1990 with four students, but the cast now fluctuates between 10 and 15 people per semester. Currently there are 10 actors, including co-directors Jen Bodzin and Scott Randall, who are the only non-rookie troupe mem- bers. When Children's Theatre began, the actors used scripts that had already been published in order to create a play. Now, the students cre- ate their own shows. "We take something important like truth or heroes and write a script around it to prove a point," Bodzin said. "We sneak some lessons in there at the same time," said troupe mem- ber and LSA junior Brian Hacker. "It's a great way to get a message mance focuses more on entertain- ment than teaching a lesson. "The main purpose is to create quality drama for disadvantaged kids in the area," Bodzin said. Currently, the troupe has four scheduled children's performances and two more in the works. The per- formances begin at the end of November. The troupe also puts on an annual show for University students. As they rehearse the actors come up with humorous twists that are unsuitable for children's ears, Randall said. They save this "R- rated" version for the college audi- ence, "The student show is the same show with hidden innuendoes ... stuff you would never do in front of kids," Bodzin said. "The humor level kind of escalates to a more adult version,"said Randall. The public student show is free, and is scheduled to take place Dec. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. in 126 East Quad. Children's Theatre usually holds auditions once a semester depend- J Bo n (left), Brien Hacker, and Juffe stz, metes oft *Lu li sity Child re r earsaL group peros at local elemary schools and cominumlty c Alianza English Department History Department Housing Administration Latino Law Association MSA Michigan Student Assembly PRA Puerto Rican Association Rackham Student Government School of Education Student Affairs Programming Council here's No Business Like .OCKBUSTERSBusinU There's a casting call for you at Blockbuster Video! We're looking for rising stars with individual spirit, drive and ambition to power the BLOCKBUSTER difference. If you would like to get in on the exciting entertainment field with America's largest and fastest growing video superstore, this could be your ticket. ASSISTANT MANAGERS ENTRY LEVEL, FULL & PART TIME across with- out preaching ... it's really effective." According to Randall, the members have a brain- storming ses- sion at the beginning of the semester "It's more improv than scripted, obviously, since we don 't have a srp. - Sarah Walker Children's Theatre troupe member ing on how many actors are returning and how many are needed for the upcoming show. Bodzin and Randall both said the troupe is un- sure if it will need more semester. If nec- fact, we don't have any." When asked about the best part of Children's Theatre, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. "It's all about the little kids," Randall said. The kids often rush up to the actors after the play, eager to talk about themselves and the per- formance, Randall said. "I really love working with the kids," said Hacker. "It's amazing because the kids love it ... the look in their eyes is incredible." Any questions regarding the University's Children's Theatre troupe can be sent via e-mail to childrenstheatre@umich. edu. UmuvERsrrY Author: Ri You'll invest life in a coll won't be con overcrowdini competition why "father k education. Full text avai Also sold at SECRET! YOUR GUIDE i W ti' I ' I Requires management and customer service experience. FULL A PART TIME CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE positions are also available. Apply at a location near you. Your talents will be rewarded with an excellent salary, strong promote-from-within policy and outstanding benefits including 401(k), education reimbursement and much more! Part Time positions are also eligible for benefits. Apply in person at a local Blockbuster Video in the Ann Arbor area or fax resume to: Attn: Annette Lutzke, District Manager Fax: (810) 767-8563 ee tar's in association with Michigan Student Assembly presents A.MY NAME IS A Musical Revue Conceived by Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd in which they determine a main idea and a general plot line of a show with a moral and a theme. They then spend a month rehearsing and creat- ing the 20 to 30-minute perfor- mance from scratch. Since there is never a writtenscript, the actor's lines may vary as rehearsals progress. "It's more improv than scripted, obviously, since we don't have a script," said SNRE first-year stu- dent Sarah Walker. Because the shows are performed during the day when many students have classes, it is necessary for the actors to learn not only their own part, but someone else's. In the past, thestroupe has per- formed Mott Children's Hospital, the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, Peace Neighborhood, Parkridge Community Center, Northwood Housing, Arrowwood Elementary, Holmes Elementary and various other commu- nity centers in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. "Working with the children is a great way of helping the community as a whole," said Walker. Past performances include "Have a Hero, Be a Hero," "Imagination Station and the Truth About Lies," and a Dr. Seuss show. This semester's theme is "Fractured Fairytales," and the show is titled "Once Upon a Time.. Happily Ever After?" Every show has a moral, but this year's perfor- essary, it will recruit at Winterfest and also will advertise. "We don't necessarily need per- formance majors," said Randall. "In I -~ - I -f- - FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE OSU GAME SEE DALY SPORTs TOMORROW. f; ". r~ Ann A ror wa 241 E. Liberty Ann Artor 998-0008 Fax 998-0303 Mon.-Sat. 11-12 AM Sun. 12 noon- 10 PM Ii I no, members for next I eI gultrfee Only Soup or Cold Drink, Egg Lunc - -- -nedinner-er 2) Buy one dinner et r r it h Sunda ys 11:01"m NEW LOCATION! angell hal auditorium A I I I 1 3) 4) at hE $2 off for purci $5 off for purci Limit one offer per visit. at time of purchas( E= . {(e. miIldlv) designed for college students dI:r- 4. , call 572-3626 for more info _:_.