Family Ties on Nick at Nite
This past weekend saw a lot of couch-riding and tube-scanning and has consequently led me to praise syndication. This Thanksgiving there was more to be thankful for when the cable channel ran an eight-hour marathon of the ’80s television phenomenon. In September, Nick at Nite added “Family Ties” to its already hefty nightly line-up, and children of perms and Wang Chung rejoiced. In between the numerous self-promotions and cheesy scripts I too rediscover my youth nightly between midnight and 1 a.m. Back in the day, the series ignored the lighter fare of racism and class struggle in favor of bigger issues like remodeling the Keaton’s kitchen. But who can forget Michael J. Fox’s tear-jerking performance when a friend’s death forced him to explore his mind and memories? It was such performances that launched the careers of Fox, Courtney Cox, Gina Davis, Tina Yothers — well, maybe not Tina Yothers . But the soothing simplicity of the ’80s mentality, when money, Republicans and other Alex P. Keaton ideals ruled fictionally, is a fine, fine filler for the Blind Date-vacated void.
— AR
Changing Classes via the Touchtone System
Over the course of a UW career, one can develop an intense hatred for the Touchtone Lady, or Bev, as we at ShoutOuts like to call her. “To add a class press 1 ? to drop a class press 2 ? I’m sorry there are no open classes for this course.” Is she really that sorry? But wait, what’s this? “To change classes press 5?!?” The otherwise painful process of registering is a bit smoother this time around. Bullets will be sweated no more as swift dropping and rapid adding has gone the way of the dinosaur. Simply enter the class you are in followed by the class you’d like to be in and viola! — the switch is completed, assuming the desired class is not closed. But even if it is, the swap will not occur and frantic pound-toning and slamming receivers will only take place during calls to significant others.
–AR
Greenwood Street
After witnessing the misery at Camp Randall two weeks ago during my last football game as an undergraduate (and first in two years), I swore off UW athletics for the next five years. That will allow enough time for that damn freshman to graduate. Thus, last weekend I headed to Ann Arbor a Michigan fan — reverting back to my deeply embedded southern Michigan roots. Those bros let me down, too. Screw football anyways. Greenwood Street knows how to “fire up” (applying the droll term a freshman-year hallmate associated with 9 a.m. Old Thompson shots). Unlike those obnoxious Langdon enclaves that sling Mud and blast Easy like it was once cool or something, Greenwood offers a tasteful brand of mid-morning inebriation. Relentless kamikaze shots, Stereolab, $25 day-of-game ticket, beer and lox. Fine memories from the rue de Jew.
–MR
Whatever and Ever Amen
Even though Ben Folds Five called it quits a little over a year ago, their music legacy remains rich and reminds listeners of a brief time when pop went piano. I was first introduced to this album through the crackling speakers of my ’87 Legend sophomore year when Folds and company were at a local indie-rock station peddling their wares and just being plain silly. I was instantly drawn to the group’s improvisational style that, coupled with heartfelt lyrics about unrequited love, offered something for my soft friends to grab onto. Whatever and Ever Amen is a wise listen during the stormy days of breakup with a sympathetic voice, packaged in a slew of happy piano chords that sends the saddest heart searching for that rejuvenating rebound.
–MR
Blog of the Week
“Don’t buy the new Ghostface Killah album Bullet Proof Wallets. If you are the biggest Wu fan in your whole street, don’t buy it. I’ve been listening to Ironman all day as an antidote. If I knew of a decent Wu-Tang related site I’d provided one, but I don’t ? myself am planning an exhibit devoted to people exercising. I am hoping that by looking at how ridiculous people look when they exercise, it will make me want to exercise so I can lose a little weight. No, that doesn’t make sense to me either.”
[http://headlessness.com/]
