Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2007)
Entertainment Return J ohn C ampbell Staff Reporter Flashy sets, witty men dressed in hideous jackets, and Joe Everyman from Anywhere, USA. Welcome to the world of the game show. Game shows have been a popular fixture since the invention of the television, with millions of viewers tuning in every night to see if someone really can win that million dollars. However, in recent years the game show has fallen to the wayside, replaced by mind- numbing reality programs and extended serial dramas. Many feared the game show was dead; just a distant memory of 70s eccentricity. Then a savior came. That savior was Howie Mandel. Februars, game show. When "Deal or No Deal" premiered in 2005, America was hooked. Not just by the hypnotic aura that is Howie's shiny bald head, but also by the show's rapid- fire game play and high stakes decisions. "Deal or No Deal" has become a ratings juggernaut. The game is simple and yet utterly thrilling. There are 26 models, each holding an identical briefcase with a different monetary value inside. The contestant picks one case and then opens the rest one by one. Cash prizes range from a penny to three million dollars. There is also a shadowy figure known only as "The Banker," who attempts to make contestants leave with as little money as possible. After each case is opened, "The Banker" offers the contestant a deal. The contestant can either take the deal (usually money) and walk away, or they can reject it and keep on playing. To date, no one has won the grand prize. The huge success of "Deal or No Deal" brought one word other network presidents' minds: "copy." Now almost every network has its own version of the show. NBC repeated its "Deal or No Deal" success with "1 vs. 100," hosted by comedic genius Bob Saget. The show mixes the quiz show format with the game of chance element of "Deal or No Deal." One contestant answers trivia questions against a group of 100 people from different walks of life. For each question answered, the monetary value of the person you outsmart increases all the way to one million dollars. The difference between "1 vs. 100" and "Deal or No Deal" is the knowledge required of contestants rather than the dumb luck it takes to win "Deal or No Deal." What's the one thing that can improve on the inventive formula of "1 vs. 100?" The same ingredient that improves anything: William Shatner. This kind of brilliant thinking was going on at ABC when they created "Show Me the Money." The show is a mix of "Deal or No Deal" and "1 vs. 100." In this game contestants must answer trivia questions correctly before they ask a model to "Show Them the Money." The twist here is that everyone, including Shatner, the contestant, and the models are constantly dancing. Dancing gives a lighthearted and fun tone to a seemingly generic game. Not to be outdone, FOX answered with its own game show, "The Rich List." The difference between this and the other shows mentioned is that instead of answering one question with one answer you make a list. Despite the original formula, the show was cancelled after only one episode. New Gerding Theater provides unique experience, atmosphere u S achie H opkins ____________ Staff Reporter On NW 11th Ave. in the Pearl District sits what appears to be an old castle. It is actually an ancient building constructed in 1891 as an old military armory. Portland Center Stage took over the aging building and transformed it into the new home of many of their shows. The theater was dubbed the Bob and Diana Gerding Theater, after the long time arts enthusiasts. The building features a famous history which includes the previous housing of events including tennis, boxing, various symphonies, roller derby, dog shows, car shows, and even performances from the famous singer James Brown. Now the building, after sitting vacant for many years, has become the new home for Portland Center Stage, a 599 seat, state-of-the-art auditorium, with a 200 seat black box studio. Also a new feature, the theater has been designated a green building, and hopes to set an example for the rest of the Portland area. The building is composed of recycled materials, uses recycled Ill : !mmmWm. ' -'vi: - ' V : HU, a a íaááiíííaiííS:» m . ; : . . lights ■ SËIMÉ^ Canterberry suggested Pat Craig, nearby resi dent, whosehouse sits above the skatepark, thinks the West Linn kids seem to be fíne, but the people com- ing from out-of-town are a bad influence and appear to cause a majority of the trouble. Although Tanner Creek Skatepark seems to m eet the advanced skater's needs, b o th M azzia and K ulp would like to see the skate- and making more bowls, While these ideas would be difficult to achieve without a major expansion, Mazzia said that a more realistic goal might be to put lights up around the park so that it would be possible to skate in darker conditions. Tanner Creek Skatepark is- located at 3456 Parker Road and is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p m. or dusk. Bring ad in for 500 off drinks 5 03 -6 5 0 -9 3 8 4 1980 W illam ette Falls Dr. West Linn, Oregon, 97068 rainwater to flush the toilets, and most offices are sky lit. The theater has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating. The Platinum rating is the highest a building can receive, followed by Gold, Silver and Certified. In 2002, it was suggested that Portland Center Stage move to a new home that provided a unique location and building. The suggestion of using the old armory was an instant hit. The theater opened its doors on Oct. 1 with "West Side Story," which was held over until Nov. 12. Currently playing is Misalliance, in which in one afternoon eight marriage proposals are made, bringing around the suspicions of some misalliances. Beginning Feb. 20, "The Pillowman" will be showing through March 18. The new theater has been surprisingly popular. "Westside Story" sold out, and tickets are going fast for upcoming plays. Free acting class engages students m M ary S cofield _____________ Staff Reporter Students have been given a chance to perfect their acting skills during a free class with an instructor from the Sojourn Theatre Company. The company is based out of downtown Portland and specializes in creating theatrical shows that explore a topic and focus on the movement of the performers. "It is an unbelievable opportunity for our students: to take free, professional theatre classes here at the school, in conjunction with an exciting, experimental theatre company," Annie Kaiser, English teacher, said. This is the second year that the Sojourn Company has done a residency at WLHS and it is hoped that they continue this partnership for years to come. "This is not like a normal acting class. It helps you find what you are capable of," Spencer McCoy, sophomore, said. Hannah Treuhaft, a member of the company, is teaching the classes and she brings excitement and fun to each session according to Kaiser. "Hannah is an exceptional teacher and director. The actors she worked with last year had an incredible experience with her, and with each other, and grew enormously as performers. It's fun and surprising and stimulating and challenging," Kaiser said. At the end of second semester, Sojourn will help the students create their own production. Auditions for the play were to have been held on Wed. Jan. 17 but were rescheduled due to the snow. Students also have the opportunity to earn a proficiency-based credit at the end of the workshop. Sojourn has been meeting with students since this fall, but did not meet during December because of the break. They resumed classes in January. Most students who attend the workshops have little to no acting experience. "It's more of getting comfortable with yourself and around other people and finding your own movement," Elizabeth Enderle, freshman, said. The final production will be held the first week in May. S op hom ores Troy Spivey and Melissa Andre work on their acting skills during the Sojourn Theatre workshop earlier this school year. Students auditioned on Jan. 24 for a production that will be presented the first week in May. Photo su b m itt^ y Andra Sturt™iht
