-4
‘EDtv’ lacks depth, plot
By Sam McKewon
Senior editor
Inevitably, there will be comparisons
between “EDtv,” the new Ron Howlard
movie, and “The Truman Show,” the brilliant,
Academy-snubbed film with Jim Carrey.
Both are about men whose lives are on
television, so the premise, ultimately, is the
same. But that’s where similarities end -
especially the brilliant part.
“EDtv” is about Ed Pekumy (Matthew
McConaughey), who lives in modern-day
San Francisco. Ed is picked by a fictional
network, headed by Whitaker (Rob Reiner)
to be filmed 16 hours a day (minus 8 hours
for sleeping) all the time, everywhere, save
the bathroom. This is the brainchild of
Cynthia (Ellen DeGeneres), a programmer at
the network. It is a show.
Why do they pick Ed? Who knows. He’s
a boring video store clerk. He has nothing to
say. He’s not profound. Neither is his family
nor any of his friends. Maybe Howard or the
screenwriters, Babaloo Mandel and Lowell
Ganz, thought it’d be funny for a loser to be
on TV
Ana, tor awmle, it is. McConaugney s ha
is a shiftless but likable guy who wears hilar
ious Wonder Bread shirts, and his brother,
Ray (Woody Harrelson) is a stupid scheme
artist with a nice girlfriend, Shari (Jenna
Elfinan). Ed’s parents have their problems, as
does his sister.
But what made Howard think this drama
could last two hours? Apparently, not even
Howard did, as we get numerous, lengthy
shots of people around America watching the
show. Are we supposed to get a thrill out of
this? When Cynthia gets the biggest laughs
simply because she played by DeGeneres,
there’s a big problem.
Eventually, Shari, who looks as though
she’s about to cry in every scene she’s in,
breaks up with Ray and goes with Ed. Then,
she breaks up with Ed because he’s on televi
sion all the time. She moves away. Maybe
they’ll get back together, maybe not.
What’s a real shame is that to move this
movie along, pointless plot elements are
thrown in. Ed’s real father (Dennis Hopper)
comes back. The truth about Ed’s mother
(Sally Kirkland) is revealed. Ed shacks up
with a gold-digger (Elizabeth Hurley). Some
of it’s funny, some of it isn’t. Some of it’s^just
sad; you feel like these characters didn’t
deserve to be such nasty, cynical folks.
And that’s all “EDtv” seems to be going
for: laughs. It has a point, sure - that America
is in love with fame, that we love to invade
privacy. But we know that already. MTV’s
“The Real World” is all about that.
Imagine making a movie about such a
show and how the person who was being
filmed felt about it and the people who were
making the show and what they felt This is
“EDtv.”
And definition of irony: that Reiner’s
character pitches the show as uncut and not
like a “Real World” show that’s edited to
eliminate boring content. But the movie’s
edited in just the same fashion.
Think about it, while Ed’s at the video
store for eight hours, are you going to watch?
Would anyone? The idea of a show such as
this would not fly. “The Truman Show”
would because it’s made up, events can be
manipulated. Here, that can’t happen.
The acting, besides DeGeneres, doesn’t
help. The whole Pekumy family’s a bunch of
boobs. Only Harrelson pulls it off well.
McConaughey does not have a natural pen
chant for comedy. Elfman’s pretty, but little
more. And she’s certainly not funny. How can
she be if she cries half the movie?
Title: “EDtv”
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Jenna
Elfmann, Woody Harrelson
Director: Ron Howard
Rating: PG-13 (adult language)
Grade: C
Five Words: “EDtv” hit and miss comedy
The end is a little more far-fetched than
the rest of the movie. Reiner’s character
becomes a little like Ed Harris’ Christof in
“Truman,” and instead of being haunting, it’s
just really annoying. Reiner can be like that
The killer is all those shots of America
watching. Howard pounds this thought into
the ground. He shows the same folks over
and over again.
Eventually, “EDtv” winds up just about
how you think it will. And what’s there to say
at the end of the TV day? That a partly funny
movie needs a little more than one running
gag to pull it through. That gag runs as hard
as it can in this movie, but it won’t ever finish
a race.
Courtesy Photo
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY and Woody Harrelson play the Pericumy brothers - Ed and Ray
- in the new Ron Howard comedy centered on media invasion.
)
Kenny Chesney
“Everywhere We Go”
BNA Records
Grade: B
Evidently, Kenny Chesney doesn’t see any reason to
change his formula for success.
His country chart-toppers have always been love bal
lads, and his latest album, “Everywhere We Go,” is chock
full of them. m
Contrary to the first
released single and the
album’s most up-tempo
song, “How Forever
Feels,” Chesney pre
sents six ballads, live ol
which have some kind of
love theme.
That’s half the
tracks.
His only mistake
comes in the one ballad
that doesn’t have <o do
with leaving a woman, staying with a woman, or coming
back to a woman. It’s a duet with Randy Travis.
Whoops.
What prompts a relatively young country artist - who
makes his living singing love ballads - to record a duet
with Travis, the hands-down king of all country love bal
lads?
It may seem like a good idea in theory, but once Travis’
low, perfectly defined voice belts into the second verse of
“Baptism,” it’s pretty much all over for Chesney. By the
end of the verse, one realizes that it may not be a bad idea
for Chesney to stick to singing harmony.
Aside from “Baptism,” Chesney offers a couple of
solid love-ballad efforts along with a couple of love bal
lads that just kind of seem to blend in with the rest of them
- you can’t quite remember what they’re about or how
they go.
“You Had Me From Hello,” co-written by Chesney,
begins in typical Chesney fashion - with a piano intro.
Lyrically, it is possibly the best song on the album, with
the catch phrase coming from the movie “Jerry Maguire.”
Other love ballads, such as “Life is Good” and
“Everywhere We Go,” lack the lyrics and distinctive
melodies to make them memorable after the music stops.
“How Forever Feels,” on the other hand, boasts dis
tinctly rhythmic verses and a catchy chorus, despite pretty
stupid lyrics. But sometimes stupid lyrics make the best
country songs. Chesney tries his hand at stupid lyrics with
“She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” another up-tempo track.
For the most part, though, Kenny Chesney’s fifth
album - that’s right, fifth - blends with the rest of his
albums into one big lovey-dovey ballad-lover’s delight.
His formula has been successful so far, but withl
“Everywhere We Go,” Chesney may have taken this love!
ballad tripe a little too far. j
- David Wilson
200s hinto
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Beat the summer rush and treat your bike to a Spring
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your bike working by the next day. Close to campus.
27th & Vine 475-2453.
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Birthright is a confidential helping hand. Please call for
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Academic Expressions
Resumes, curriculum vitae, theses, dissertations,
newsletters. Academic editing. MLA/APA/AP/Chicago
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Word Processing/Typewriter service. Applications, re
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4oos mam
1 roommate needed in a 5 bedroom house located in
the Capital Beach area. Five minutes away from campus
475-5305.
1 -3 non-smoking females to share 5 bedroom, 2 bath,
2 kitchen house, SE of UNL, central air, appliances,
utilities paid, $265. 438-0239 or 477-9875, leave mes
sage.
Female roommate needed to share two bedroom
house. 435-3154. Ask for Victoria.
Find a place to live
at the
Housing Fair
Wednesday in the
l Nebraska Union
10:30-2:30
♦ Speakers
♦ Visit Landlords
♦ Free Refreshments
sponsored by the
Deify Nebraskan
Male/female wanted by 4/99. 3 bedroom house,
Northeast Lincoln, $245/month+ utilities. Call
465- 9175, leave message.
Roommate needed. Nice two bedroom apartment by
the capitol. Wood floors, lots of space, cheap rent. Call
435-7838
3 bedrooms to rent in a 4 bedroom house. Close to
campus, reasonable, washer/dryer. (402)786-3638.
2533 Washington. Furnished living room and bedroom,
refrigerator, nonsmoking/nondrinking gentleman.
$150, utilities paid. 477-5032.__
Sleeping/study room. Non-smoking female only. Cable,
utilities paid, free laundry, own phone line.
$160/month plus $100 deposit. 432-5573.
4 and 5 bedroom houses. Available for August, near
campus. Call and reserve yours now. 432-0644.
1
Find a place to live
at the
Housing Fair
Wednesday in the
Nebraska Union
10:30-2:30
♦ Speakers
♦ Visit Landlords
♦ Free Refreshments
sponsored by the
Daily Nebraskan
Great 3,4, 5, and 6 bedroom homes near campus. Re
serve now for summer, fall or both now, and relaxl All
appliances provided. 423-1535.
Nice houses near campus available in May
1237 Court, 3 BR, 1&1/2 baths,garage $650
1140 N 29th, very large 4 BR 2 baths, parking, $850
726 Y St, 3 BR 1 &1/2 baths, $650.
1531 N 22nd, 4 BR 2 baths, $775
Call 432-0644.
Summer, fall, yearly leases. 3, 4 5, bedroom houses.
Pets OK, 432-6644.
Two story, three large bedrooms close to campus.
Near bus line, basement, washer/dryer, newly remod
eled, $780/month. 730-3367
Brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath, fireplace, family room,
A/C, 2 garages. $875+, available May 10. RESERVE
YOURS NOW!! 432-0415.
Just built- five bedroom, two bath, two car garage,
lawn service, $1200+ utilities. Available May. 4315 Or
chard. Call for showing, 402-598-8823.
Large 1 & 3 bedroom duplexes, 4 bedroom house
near both campuses. 489-5168.
NEWER 3BR
3baths, double attached garage, all appliances,
wash/dry, dishwasher. Campus close. Reduced to
$795. HIP • 465-8911.
Newer near campus, new 3 bedroom, 2 baths, garage.
Washer/dryer. $700.438-3393.
!! SUNNY & CHEERFUL!!
!! SMOKE FREE!!
1 BR 2000 J St, Clean $295
1 BEDROOM APTS
In Unique Complex between campuses, super clean,
3-month leases, newer decor,
stove/fridge/dishwasher/disposal/blinds, parking, cen
tral heat/air, laundry, gas/water/garbage paid, enclosed
patios, big closets, breakfast bar, $345,
489-4857.
640 S. 20th- Efficiency $299, 1BR $349, 2BR $419
andup. 2301 A St.- 1BR $329.
Jones Properties 475-7262
1120 E St., 1 bedroom just remodeled. Heat paid, no
pets, $300.474-5327.
1660 G, 1 bedroom, C/A, storage, parking, dishwasher,
disposer, remodeled, $330. Larger w/balcony, $350.
423-7892.
2910 N. 42nd. Brand new 4-bedroom, 2-baths, deluxe"
unit with all appliances, including W/D, C/A, garage
available, no pets. $950-$995. Taking reservations for
spring and summer. 474-5327.
3533 Baldwin Ave. Nice 2 bedroom'with fire place.
Available April or May. 325-0320.
AUGUST LEASE-2 BR
36th and Huntington. East Campus/Wesleyan area,
fire place, central air, laundry, parking. No pets.
489-9916.
Better dollar value studio and one bedroom in well
maintained vintage building. $295-330.432-2288.
CATS WELCOME! MARCH FREE!! 1BR, wood floors,
sun room, summer leas available, $375. 939 S. 11th,
476-6028.
Claremont Park Apts.
Better than dorm living: cheaper, bigger, more privacy,
and lots of fun. May and August leases available. Call
today 474-7275.9th & Claremont.
Clean 0,1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Rents $225 -
$410 plus electricity. For more information call Pat or
Melody 402-434-2610 or Hearing impaired/TDD
402-434-2613.
Colonial Heights
Apartments
2815 Tierra Drive - 421-3070
!!! RENT SPECIALS!!!
• 6 month lease to receive half month free or a 12
month lease to receive a month free. Certain restrictions
apply.
• Indoor/outdoor pool, sauna and spa
• Elevators, tanning bed and weight room
• 3 month leases available
Efficiency in nice area close to campus. Free heat.
$270/month plus deposit. Non-smoker only. Air condi
tioned. 432-5573.
Large 2 bedroom, microwave, dishwasher, laundry,
disposal, $49S/month, 2501 E St. 432-6476. N/S, N/P.
Large 3 bedroom, 2 baths, all utilities paid, dishwasher,
central air, 938 S. 12th, $795. Will hold until May
435-2552.
Like the feeling of new?
2 bedroom 1-3/4 bath. New carpet, cabinets, appli
ances, paint, mini blinds, washer and dryer hook-ups,
and storage closet for bike, etc. Close to East Campus
and bus stop. Available April 1. $475. (800) 977-4253.
Next to Campus
1932 R St. Available now. Also fee for summer and fall.
2bedrooms, 1 bathroom, parking, dishwasher, wash
er/dryer hookups, clean and quiet. Lease + deposit.
475-3111.
_ -_
MANAGEMENT ONE
Now leasing for summer and fall, 3 year rent freeze.
Call for locations and prices, 477-2600 or
www.mgmtone.com
One bedroom, utilities paid, washer/dryer, 45th & L area.
Available April 15. $395.327-8289. leave message.
—Summer & Fall Term Leases
Now being accepted. Sign-up today to reserve an
apartment for the summer or tall term. Our concrete
construction makes you home a quiet environment.
Surf’s Up!!.as soon as the pool opens. Study indoors
or out, bike or walk to campus.
Jones Properties 475-7262
Two bedroom apt., large kitchen, fireplace, off-street
parking, newly renovated, laundry room on premises.
901 N. 25th. $375/month. Convienent location, great
price. Call Garron at 438-6246 or Doc at 553-5901.
Unique Two Bedroom Condo
Newly remodeled condo for rent in historic Hayward
Place. 891 square feet with raised living room and sep
arate dining area. Within walking distance from down
town UNL campus. All appliances, secure building, 12’
ceilings, parking and on site laundry. Available April
1st, 1999. Call 421-2316. Leave message.
<^K> Century
\Wtfy UUS AND MANAGEMENT COi
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' Call us today!
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'FIREPLACE
'Swimming Pool
'Minutes form downtown
'1 BR^start at $349
*2 BR’s start at $459
'Clean & updated
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Century and Sales Management
437-8322 or 437-8300
On Campus Summer Hoi&ing
31 spacious, furnished, on campus double or single
rooms at Triangle Fraternity. Clean, coed. A/C, wash
er/dryer, mail service. Call Nick Bernard 436-0132 for
info and tour. ..
