Wednesday October 8, 2003 michigandaity.com artseditor@michigandaily.com RTS 5 ONE GOOD COP 'RENO 911!' STAR LIKES PLAYING POLICE By Melissa Runstrom Daily Arts Writer "Our show is very stupid, but smart;" says C ' ic Yarbrough, Officer Jones on Comedy Central's new hit "Reno 911!" The show spoofs reality television in general, with a definite eye aimed at "Cops." The series, which had been collecting dust on FOX's shelves for two years, has just been signed for a sec- ond season with Comedy Central, a move which cer- tainly pleases the cast. "They don't hold our hands like some networks would. They really trust us to do a quality show,"Yarbrough raved. Even though the cast typically pulls 10-hour days, Yarbrough still describes it as his dream job. "I get to hang out with a whole bunch of people that I like, and I'm playing cops and robbers like I did when I was a kid, so it's great." A 1995 graduate of Minnesota State University, Yarbrough was active in theater on campus. Afterward he honed his improvisational skills at Brave New Workshop, a local club. When asked why he wanted to become an actor, he replied, "Because I suck at everything else." Judging by the laughs he garners on "Reno 911!," there are more than a few fans who are happy his other ineptitudes have lead him onscreen. "Reno 911!" originally began as a sketch comedy called "Ugly Americans" for FOX. The network was- n't interested, so at the last minute they came up with the concept of a cop spoof. They were still put on the back burner for two years and the cast went their sep- arate ways. Yarbrough guest starred on "Cedric the Entertainer" and did theater work in Los Angeles until Comedy Central picked up the show. "We pretty much are a gorilla style show," Yarbrough said describing the non-existent writ- ing process. The cast of seven improvises the entire show around loose story lines, a la Christopher Guest and company, with hilari- ous results. Since each cast member is responsible for their character's actions, the cast has the unique ability to make "Reno 91l!" into whatever they envision. "We'll brainstorm an idea, all seven of us, and then away we go,"Yarbrough insists. The actor also enjoys all of the resources, like the scores of costumes and props at his disposal. Though Yarbrough was quick to state that he wouldn't want to wear the shorts sported by Lt. Dangle (Tom Lennon of MTV's "The State" and one of the series' cre- ators). Lennon is also less than enthusiastic about donning the skimpy shorts. "I think he regrets (the) short shorts. He does have to pull the snuggies on everyday." Each cast member on the squad has quirky characteristics. Dangle, wearing the shorts, tries to seduce the men he pulls over for traffic viola- tions, and Jones plays the sweet-talking bache- lor, romantically involved with at least two of the ladies on the squad. Yarbrough claims he doesn't share many traits with his character. "I'm not as cool as Jones. I wish I was," he admits. "I'm black, tall and good looking. I guess that's about it. I have sex a lot with white women and ... I'm kidding." S THE HOTTEST PICKS IN ENTERTAINMENT FROM A DAILY ARTS WRITER The Oakland A's - While they have been knocked out of the running for the World Series, maybe the citizens of the great state of California can move for a recall. Go Marlins! "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" - The movie Todd Weiser called "So Cool" hits the streets this Friday and we are all better people for it. Plus Uma might actually be good in a movie for a change. 3 "The Lion King" Special Platinum Edition DVD - I'm not sure how this is better than a normal platinum edition or even a special gold edition, but regardless, this is still one totally sweet movie. OutKast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below - Andre and Big Boi have done it again, just on their own this time. How many times can you say "alright" in one song? Third Season of "24" - Is there anything Jack Bauer can't do? With less than a month remaining before the first episode, you'd be a fool not to be excited. Make sure you watch the other two seasons before Oct. 28. You have plenty of time - they only take a day to watch each. . ........ ...... DVD S HO RT S .......... . . ... SCARFACE ANNIVERSARY EDITION .UNIVERSAL Al Pacino stars as the titular char- acter in Brian De Palma's gangster classic. The film, originally panned by critics when it opened in 1983,, has found a huge cult following, specifically in the gangsta-rap com- munity. This new release comes with a new digital transfer and audio track, making every expletive and explosion come alive. The most entertaining of the sec- and disc special features focuses on the difficulty in cutting the violence and language for the television cut of the film. Tony Montana's bloody rise to the top of the Miami under- world shines on DVD and every rapper who is missing a copy'can now have one to flaunt next time "Cribs" comes to his house. --Adam Rattenberg Movie: **** Picture/Sound: ****! Features: *** CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MINI MIRAMAX In his directorial debut, George Clooney wears his influences on his sleeve, for the better and worse of the movie, but for the definite better of the DVD. Together with cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel, Clooney offers the most technically interesting of audio commentaries. While some filmmakers like Woody Allen abhor the idea of revealing behind-die-scenes secrets, Clooney and Sigel turn a sometimes all-too-stylish, but suitably enter- taining, biopic of "Gong Show" host/secret CIA operative Chuck Barns (Sam Rockwell, in a "I deserve to be a star" performance) into the perfect study tool for would-be filmmakers. Those ancient days when the magic of Hollywood was just that to viewers, magic,, are over as the "Confes- sions" DVD basically offers a play- by-play guide on how to remake the film (assuming you have the talents of Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts on speed-dial). - Todd Weiser Movie: *** Picture/Video: **** Features: ***% By Michelle Kijek For the Daily MUSIC REVIEW Here's Jonny ... Lang? You would- n't know it listening to his latest album, Long Time Coming. This Blues whiz-kid Jonny Lang offers eclectic failure on newest release Fargo, N.D., blues prodigy, well, lost his blues. Lang, who has played along'side blues greats B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Luther Alli- singer and guitar Jonny Lang Long Time Coming A&M Records j. album. His inexperience is evident. With the exceptions of "Get What You Give" and "Livin' For the City," a live number that is the highlight of the album, the lyrics sound childish and are unable to keep up with the aggres- sive changes from rock to soul to R&B. More missed are the passionate growls that have long driven Lang's vocals in the past. The title track, a heartfelt acoustic spiritual reminds us of the quality of guitar playing Lang caA Orovide, though, and relieves us of the thought that he hasn't completely lost his love for the blues. At the age of only 22, Lang obvi- ously has the talent to make a huge impact on the fusion of modern blues and rock -music. It just didn't happen with this album. Li son and has previously produced the- matically blues-based albums, chose a different path for his latest LP. Creat- ing more of a rock album with soul and R&B thrown into the mix, Lang shifted to a new direction; unfortu- nately he forgot his compass. For the first time ever, Lang co-pro- duced and wrote every song on the Wanna Be on MTV's "MAtE"? """""."""".. .. .Come To the Open Casting Call at ........ . ..University of Michigan Friday October 10th from lpm-5pm Tappan Room MUSIC TELEVISION® (1s floor Michigan Union) ARE YOU... 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