Pulse Editor;
Jacquelyn Lewis
jacquelynlewis@dailyemerald.com
Thursday, March 6,2003
Oregon Daily Emerald
On Tuesday
Pack your bags and check
your pulse-it's time for travel.
Foreign import:
Handle with care
Mason West
Movies/Music/TV Columnist
Last week I learned by means of Total Request Live
that HBO has produced an American version of the Ali
G Show, the interview platform that brought British
comedian Sacha Baron Cohen the kind of fame that
Adam Carrola dreams of.
If you missed Carson’s lackluster interview, the only
other place you’ve possibly seen Ali G is as the limo driv
er in Madonna’s “Music” video. But judging him on that
merit would be a mistake.
As Ali G pranced around the MTV studio in his fire-en
gine yellow jumpsuit, my excitement was dulled by con
cern for what America would do to my European homie.
Let me back up. I was introduced to the hilarity that is
Ali G in London last spring in the
flood of promotion for his movie “Ali
G Indahouse.” The character became
film-worthy after a successful inter
view show that worked off the same
premise as Comedy Central’s Prime
time Glick. Both host characters are
grossly underqualified and potential
ly volatile, yet they interview celebri
ties and important figures.
However, in more Tom Green
fashion, much of Ali G’s humor
came from his subjects not knowing
what they were getting into. Ac
cording to an itv.com article from earlier this year, once
people knew how to deal with Ali G, the show got stale.
“Indahouse” marked the end of Ali G’s pudding train.
But, as the innocent American tourist, Ali G was new
and intelligent and Hee-larious. His satirical ridicule of
white suburbanite “gangstas” rang as true in the States
as it did in the United Kingdom. Though much of his Eng
land-specific humor was lost on me, it was charming —
like Mini Coopers (thank you, Peter Hockaday).
The best way to understand this is by hearing what I
call “G Speak.” But a close substitute is reading the phon
ic nightmare that is G Speak.
“Me woz bom in da heart off da Staines ghetto. I has
lived wiv me Nan in Staines ... from da day me woz bom,
coz wiv both me parents havin’ been smoked, dere
weren’t no one else around to look afta her.”
This quote was taken off the HBO show site, but it
reads like an instruction manual compared to his book,
Mason
West
Selling out
Ali G was new and intelligent and
Hee-larious. His satirical ridicule of
white suburbanite "gangstas" rang as
true in the States as it did in the
United Kingdom. Though much
of his England-specific humor was
lost on me/ it was charming.
“The Gospel According to Ali G.” Check out an excerpt at
www.alig.com/dagospel, but expect to be offended.
The G Speak has such kitsch factor, both glossaries
and translators are easily found online (check out
www.whoisalig.com). And if you peep the Emerald site,
you will find this entire column so translated. Respeck.
But Ali seemed uneasy in the MTV studio, and his
mannerisms seemed toned down and trimmed of their
English charm. I fear this will be the case with his show.
HBO is stepping cautiously, giving him only a six-episode
run at success. But they didn’t hold back on the guest list,
letting him sit down with Newt Gingrich, Buzz Aldrin and
Eugene favorite Ralph Nader.
A Newsweek article about the show eased my fears by
quoting some of the program’s material. Because I am not
some manner of royalty, I am not afforded luxuries such as
HBO and I am left with the picked over remains of other
publications.
But just knowing Ali is staying true to himself doesn’t
mean the thick Yanks will get it. So if you find yourself
sitting on your throne at 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning
give me main man a chance, aiight?
Contact the Pulse columnist at masonwest@dailyemerald.com.
His views do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald.
On the air
■ ’.. .!
Mark McCambridge Emerald
'Duck U' camera operator Lindsay Acree checks the overhead video screen, as anchorwomen Quyona Anderson and Emily
Scriven rehearse their broadcast for the University's first completely student-run TV show.
On the air with Duck U’
The University? first entirely
student-run television show
airs every Wednesday at
10 p.m. on cable channel 23
Ryan Bornheimer
Senior Pulse Reporter
Students have found a new and in
dispensable venue for exercising their
talents, and audiences have an oppor
tunity to see firsthand reports of cam
pus issues and student interests.
“Duck U,” the University’s first com
pletely student-run television show,
airs on cable channel 23 every
Wednesday night at 10 p.m. Premier
ing last fall, this cable access program
examines everything from current
events and sports to dorm life
and movies.
Executive producers Jessica Gohoon
and Emily Scriven said students have
attempted to start a program before,
but “Duck U” is the first to air.
Since the show’s start, the “Duck U”
crew has grown from a meager 10 to
the nearly 60 students currently work
ing on the show.
Among the segments featured on
“Duck U” are the run-and-gun antics of
“Hanging with Nate Jackson,” which
offers a unique look at Eugene happen
ings. In what could be characterized as
an “on the town” segment, Jackson
and crew hit the city, looking for enter
taining moments, places, events and, of
course, people.
“We look for people who are ener
getic and confident with a real camera
presence,” Jackson said.
Jackson credits the entire “Duck U”
staff and crew with what hopefully
emerges as an entertaining show.
“There really is no individual. We all
motivate each other to create the best
show we can,” Jackson said.
Go-host Robin Winfield said Jackson
is the perfect person for the shoot
from-the-hip segment.
“Nate is just a little kid in a big
body,” Winfield said.
In prior episodes, Jackson has
Turn to Duck U, page 8
‘No War’ spurs creative activism
Courtesy
Jarrett Arnold's painting, 'Consume, Consume, Consume, but at What
Cost?' will appear in the 'No War' art show.
The group show Saturday exhibits art as
a powerful medium and is meant to encourage
discussion surrounding Bush’s actions abroad
Helen Schumacher
Pulse Reporter
During the Vietnam War, The New Zone art collective host
ed an anti-war exhibit to give community members an alter
native way of showing their opposition to the fighting. Thirty
years later, the group is once again providing a space for cre
ative anti-war activism.
A group art show entitled “No War” will have its opening
Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The New Zone art space, lo
cated at 1 E. Broadway.
The free event will include a puppet show about the pend
ing war on Iraq by Vermont puppet company The Insurrec
tionary Landscapers. Interactive exhibits and video installa
tions will also be part of the entertainment.
Eugene do-it-yourself arts venue My House, along with sev
eral other student and community groups, will host the event,
which was conceived by Marc Moscato, one of the My House
coordinators.
Turn to Art, page 6