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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 1995)
----- .v •: • ■ Rainbow Rowell CableVision: no ‘vision’ for comedy CableVision will unveil a new and improved basic service package Nov. 1, to which I say, “Bravo!” I’ve long lamented the lack of The Cartoon Network on Lincoln tubes. I could use a “Hair Bears” fix. And “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” is to die for. But before you begin writing long, flowery thank-you notes on your cable bill, listen up: CableVision still won’t give you Comedy Central. For those of you who have been stuck in Lincoln for the past 10 years, I will explain why this is such a trav esty. Comedy Central is only the fin est cable network I’ve ever watched. It shows funny shows from every era and many areas. It offers wacky movies, political , commentary and good stand-up. More than else, it’s funny, way funny. When I was in high school in Omaha (a more enlightened cable commu ' nity), “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and “Kids in the Hall” were astaple of my existence. (Back then , I think, the network was called Ha!) My friends and I spent many an evening just quoting “MST3K” regu lars and cracking ourselves up. And then I came to Lincoln. For an education. 1 nere began a comedy void in my life. The only comedy I get these days is “M*A*S*H” reruns and the occa sional funny episode of “The State.” My friends in every other part of the nation continue to tell Comedy Central jokes, to make references to sketches and shows I never see. The whole nation laughed at “Ab solutely Fabulous,” while I watched that episode of “M*A*S*H” where Hawkeye does a tracheotomy with a pen. It was a touching TV moment, but I still felt like I was missing out. I wouldn’t mind missing out on Comedy Central if CableVision of fered a bountiful array of other excel lent stations. I would keep my complaints to myself if CableVision offered “The Star Wars Network” or “From God’s Mouth to Your Television.” But have you watched basic cable in Lincoln lately? It’s crap. Nothing is ever on. True, cable companies everywhere offer lots of crap. But some cable companies offer crap... and Comedy Central. And what will cable customers en joy in Comedy Central’s place? The Travel Network. v I won’t lie. I have no idea what The Travel Network is. It sounds about as exciting as The Weather Channel, but much less useful. Why would you want to watch shows about places you can’t afford Uk go when you could escape from your pathetic life to visit Joel arid his ‘bots on “MST3K”? Actually, Joel long ago left the show, but I’ve been in Lincoln so long that T have no clue who his replace ment is. N CableVision, are you listening? (If you are, you’re probably ticked off about that crap line.) Please bring me Comedy Central. ■ RoweU la a inlor *ew*-«dltorlai,«!ver tfelag aad Eagllsh major aad the Dally Nebraska! maaaglag editor. Courtesy of TriStar Pictures Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) confronts Daphne (Jennifer Beals) about the plot in which they both play a part in “Devil in a Blue Dress.” C -time thriller alive in ‘Dc% • •• -• V-i'- V' ■ .-v. k. ■ ■ .,£ ,» 11 i fit! f . itt /id It U ! i-u It u ill titiiiii UUi iillii* Li if____1 By Jeff Randall ran CriSb : ' ' . ,.j The old-fashioned mystery thriller is alive and well in Hollywood, and Carl Franklin’s “Devil in a Blue Dress” is one of its vital signs. By mixing historical images of 1940s Los Angeles with the intricate plot linesofthe best screenwriters from any era, director/screen writer Franklin makes an ap pealing and involving film. This highly stylish and in ten se^lrama features Denzel Washington (“Philadelphia,” “Glory”) as Ezekiel “Easy” Rawl ins, an ordinary and hon orable man who needs work. He finds this work through DeWitt Albright, played by Tom Sizemore (“Natural Bom Killers,” “True Romance”), a shady entrepreneur whose profession is, as he describes it, doing “favors for friends.” Rawlins is hired to locate the girlfriend and intended bride of an L.A. mayoral candidate who unexpectedly dropped out of the race. Daphne Monet, played by Jennifer Beals (“Flashdance,” “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle”), turns out to be a little harder to find than most public figures. Rawlins eventually finds her, but ends up finding himsel f in more trouble than he bargained for when his investigation gets his name closely tied to two murders. It is then up to Rawlins to find out why the murders occurred, who the murderers were, and what the results are, all in order to clear his own name. The issue of racism permeates the entire storyline, as the biases of nearly every character affect both actions and intentions. No one is really who he or she seems, and the audience is left to decide between wrong and right, even as the credits roll. * Franklin’s recreation of post-World War II Los Angeles is excellent, making the filmgoer’s tradition of suspension of disbelief an unneces sary factor. Every detail is seemingly authentic and flawless. Washington does an excellent job in portray ing Rawlins. He manages to capture the bewilder ment and naivete of an innocent man swept into high-level corruption without seeming too awe struck or, conversely, too confident. While this may not be his best role, it won’t hurt his resume, either. As a seedy underground figure, Sizemore is convincing. He seems to be a bit typecast as the ruthless and inevitably corrupt individual, but he Film: “Devil in a Blue Drews’’ Stars: Denzel Washington, Jennifer Beals, Tom Sizemore Director: Carl Franklin Rating: R Grade: B Five Words: L.A. never looked this good never goes over the top in his depiction of Albright. Beals, in the title role, is equally appealing as a mysterious woman who seems willing to use whatever means she has available to survive in a male-dominated world. Her presence doesn’t $eem to radiate as well as those of Washington and Sizemore, though, andshe ends up being marginalized by the film’s Ultimately, “Devil in a Blue Dress” proves to be a film that is by no means original, but is extremely entertaining. And in the world of film today, those are characteristics that are hardly unforgivable. - CableVision adds four networks to lineup By Jeff Randall Senior Reporter When they aren’t studying, vol unteering for nonprofit organiza tions, or reading the collected works of Shakespeare in their spare time, most students find television to be a welcome source of entertainment. And for a number of students at UNL, CableVision’s addition offour networks to its lineup is a welcome announcement, making for more entertainment options. The four networks will be added on Nov. 1 and will be a part of CableVision’s basic service pack age. The new networks will be The Cartoon Network (Channel 45), Turner Classic Movies (Channel 46), Bravo (Channel 47), and The Travel Channel (Channel 48). Sheila Howard, a freshman psy chology major, said she was glad that CableVision would be offering more channels, particularly The Cartoon Network. Besides showing the mandatory Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear, and Droopy cartoons, The Cartoon Network also features unearthed programs such as “Banana Splits” and original shows such as “Space Ghost Coast to Coast.” “The Cartoon Network is all I watched on cable when I lived in Omaha,” Howard said. “It reminded me of my childhood, when I used to watch nothing but Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry.” Anumberofother studentsagreed with Howard’s sentiments regard ing The Cartoon Network. “That’s great television,” Carl Peterson, an undeclared sophomore, said. “You don’t have to think when you watch cartoons, you can just enjoy yourself. “I don’t like anything too chal lenging when I’m watching televi sion. I like to save my energy.” For a more challenging viewing experience, Bravo and Turner Clas sic Movies, will offer older films and programming regarding arts considered to be a bit more refined than animation. Kathleen Oswald, a freshman secondary education major, said both of these networks sounded interest ing, although she had never heard of either. “I’m a junkie for old movies,” Oswald said. “If they start showing too many good ones, though, I might not get any studying done.” The Travel Channel turned out to be the least popular among many students. This channel will feature travel documentaries and news, as well as information on obtaining discounts and other travel tips. The new networks won’t be com ing for free, though, as they will be accompanied by an 80-cent increase in monthly charges for CableVision subscribers. Howard said she was willing to put up with a cost increase for the channels she would get. But, she ' said, she might be less willing to pay for future increases. “If they decide to add channels I have no interest in watching, I don’t think I’d be too happy about paying for them.” Students in the UNL residence halls, however, will likely have no concerns over that piece of informa tion. Cable fees are included in their room and board rates. “That’s the best thing about liv ing in the dorms,” Oswald said. “I don’t know if I’d be willing to pay. * $20 for what you get. It’s free, though, so I’m nappy to get it.”
