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m/^si > Quote of the Day /VI-/V “Don’t take life too seriously. You will never get out LS i I if—■■ i—■ g^\ alive.” \^yfy V_y Elbert Hubbard Monday, February 7,2000 %\\t 0nillCCOCk Page A7 Burstool Philosophers back in Columbia by Mark Piras Staff Writer The Barstool Philosophers, Columbia’s own improvisational com edy troupe, were back in action Saturday night to strut their stuff ii a new venue — the Encore club in the Vista. To show the originality and uniqueness of their live stage show the Philosophers managed to pull off a trick rarely managed in the art of show business. Their second act was disrupted by a raucoui crowd of patrons who had just returned from performing at the bal let. The second act, which features a long-form improv piece called “The Harold,” created a surreal atmosphere as audience mem bers began yelling at the loud ballet crowd while the troupe admirably continued their act in a professional manner. The venue itself featured a dimly lit atmosphere confined in close quarters for an intimate interaction with the comedy players. Leathei couches lined the back wall, available to those with the wherewith al to arrive early, and chairs and tables gave the club a soft, friendly feel. The show began with a segment entitled “The Rant” in whicl five members of the troupe were given topics to rant about througl shouted suggestions from the audience. The audience did its part, giv ing suggestions such as pumpkin smashers and people who get up set because other people get upset at them for cutting in front of then with your car. Next, a panel of “experts” was assembled, and the players wen given their area of expertise, once again, from the audience. The pan el had to then answer questions, on topics ranging from global warm ing to the Confederate flag issue, and somehow relate that back tc their expertise. The first act also consisted of an interesting bit called “Time Dash”, a segment known by fans of the show “Whose Line is it, Any way?” called “Party Guests” and a final segment called “The Dream.’ In “The Dream,” a volunteer from the audience came onstage tc relate what had happened to her in the previous 24 hours, which was then acted out in to a hilarious caricature by the comedy troupe. Jerrah Kohn, the woman who volunteered for the sketch, watched in horror as the troupe twisted her story, but afterward said she en joyed the experience. “I thought it was hilari ous,” Kohn said, “but I’m not really an alcoholic that can’t remember anything. I just forgot what I was doing at 11 o’clock last night.” After a brief intermis sion, the troupe came back onstage to perform the trea 1 sured “Harold” piece, in vented by Del Close of Sec ond City fame, only to watch it disintegrate as the ballet per formers got louder and loud er. Director Joe Slyman admitted after the performance that the noise rattled the performers a little. “It made us be louder, more confrontational than we normally would,” Slyman said. “[The sketch] kind of goes for a higher, better laugh in a Sein feld-esque kind of way. You start out with a very bit point and throw it and it all comes together in the end. We kind of had to force it to gether in this instance because it was loud, it was difficult to talk, and we had to move it along much faster than it was,” she said. Regardless of the crowd or background noise, the show was in terlaced with classic moments of absolute hilarity by a talented group of actors who showed their talent by staying in character even through distractions. I would highly recommended this show for anyone look ing for a night of fresh, original and unique entertainment. The group says they will be looking to do their next show in about three weeks. The cast includes: Greg Boudreau, Brooke Connolly, Charlie Johnson, Dan Jones, Dean Poynor, Darrell Sims and Jamie Weese. The director is Joe Slyman. Mark Piras The Gamecock Barstool Philosophers, from left to right: Charlie Johnson, Greg Bourdeau and Jamie Weese. International student at home in Columbia by Michael Kerr Staff Writer The USC campus is, if nothing else, culturally diverse. There are students who grew up in South Carolina and go home every weekend. There are students from New Jersey and Pennsylvania who see their parents on hol idays and won’t go home again until the semester ends. For Santiago Aragon, however, “home” is a great deal farther away than any where on the Northeast coast, both physically and culturally. At the age of 22, Aragon has already lived in more places than most people ever will. He was bom in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to Colombian parents. Over the course of his life he has lived in Portugal, South Africa and Colombia before arriv ing on the USC campus. For 18 years, Aragon lived in Mozambique, a southeastern African country once considered to be the.poorest nation in the world. He spent 12 of those years attending boarding school in South Africa, returning home only for school holidays. While going to school there, Aragon was introduced to the game of rugby at the age of 8. He compares rugby in South Africa to American football. He has brought his experience and knowledge of the game to USC as captain of the men’s rugby club. it is great to see that rugby is piayea in tne United Mates, Aragon said. Al though USA rugby is not yet well developed, it has great potential.” In the fall of 1997, Aragon first arrived in the United States. He attended Wingate University in North Carolina for two years before transferring to USC. After living throughout the world, Aragon looks to the household he was raised in for cultural guidance. Although they moved a great deal, Aragon’s parents were true Colombians. “Culturally, I consider myself a true Colombian,” Aragon said. “That was the environment I was brought up in.” The biggest differences between the United States and the rest of the world, ac cording to Aragon, are the luxuries and lifestyle many Americans take for granted. “In Mozambique a person could only dream of hearing terms like Social Secu rity, medical aid and insurance,” Aragon said. “Such luxuries do not exist in Mozam bique. Instead the basic elements of life, such as food and fresh water, are what peo ple are mostly concerned about.” Aragon sees his stay in the United States as a chance to leant about another cul ture. “It has been an interesting cultural experience,” he said, “Another chapter to add to my life story.” 'Big Brother' series a cross between 'Real World,' 'Truman Show' by David Bauder Associated press NEW YORK - A house full of strangers will be under the unblinking CBS eye this summer. Five nights a week, the network will make voyeurs out of viewers with a new show starring a group of volunteers who live for three months in a home equipped with two dozen cameras and 59 microphones. CBS won a bidding war to adapt a Dutch series, “Big Brother," for American television. The house will start with nine or 10 people who will be whittled down, week by week, in a vote by viewers. At the series’ end, viewers decide which character they like best, and the winner gets a cash prize. It’s something like MTV’s long-running “Real Wirld” series, only much more intense: Participants cannot go any where within the house without being seen or heard, and will be permitted no contact with the outside world. Al though they will be on television constantly, they won’t be allowed to watch TV. When the series is not on the air, fens will be able to follow the housemates any time, day or night, through a Wbb site. “Big Brother” was a sensation when it aired in the Netherlands last fell, particularly among young people. Rough ly one in 15 Dutch citizens tuned in regularly to watch the housemates brush their teeth, take out the trash or just hang out. l nts type ot snow appeals to a certain sense or voyeunsm in an or us, hkb listening in on a nearoy conversation or walking past a house and glancing in the window,” said Paul Romer, executive producer of the Dutch show. “There is something magical about being able to listen to and watch other people.” CBS will conduct a nationwide search for participants and put them through physical and psychological screening. Volunteers can leave whenever they want, but will be immediately replaced and forfeit their chance for a prize. The home’s location has not been decided. Romer, who admitted “Big Brother” is “a little cruel,” said participants in the Netherlands were instructed to be themselves. They must work together to survive the experience, but all know there is ultimately only one winner. The Netherlands Institute of Psychologists called the show “irresponsible and unethical.” Some Dutch critics just found it a little dull. *' Nonetheless, CBS paid a reported $20 million to the Dutch production company Endemol Entertainment for rights to the series, outbidding Fox, ABC and the USA cable network. By airing “Big Brother” so often, CBS hopes to duplicate ABC’s success in adapting the British game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. ” ABC put “Millionaire” on over several nights last August and now has the hit of the TV sea son. Also this summer, CBS is airing a similar reality-based show, “Survivor,” in which 16 contestants are thrown to gether on a deserted island off Borneo. The winner of the endurance test gets $ 1 million. Both are bold moves for CBS, which usually doesn’t risk shocking an audience whose average age is over 50. CBS Television President Leslie Moonves said the summer rerun season is the perfect time to be a little daring. “Viewers are looking for new forms of programming, and this is an attempt to be‘ahead of the curve in finding the next form,” spokesman Chris Ender said. Fox is planning its own real-life soap opera this summer, “High School,” created by a documentary filmmaker who is following a high school class from suburban Chicago throughout the school year. Campus Notes Mortar Board extends deadline for application Mortar Board Honor Society has ex tended the deadline for application to Friday. Pick up applications at the RH Information Center, turn in applications to RH 112. For more information, call Cal lee Kaiser at 544-4862. .Dance workshop to be held for new dancers There will be a dancing workshop for new dancers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for $5. It will be a show of traditional dancing from New England with caller Barry Dupen and live music by Cabin Fever. For more information, call Dianne Britton at 796-8935. Freshman Council to hold brunch for class Freshman Council will have a brunch for the freshman class at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. For more information, call Manasi Sin ha at 544-2015. ' Web site has facts on candidates All USC students can view informa tion about candidates for the USC Stu dent Government election at http://www.sa.sc.edu/sga/sg.htm. Lecture to be „ offered Dr. Lynn Webber will be offering a lec ture from 5 to 7 p!m. Thursday in Room 402 in the College of Nursing. For more information, e-mail Becki Dangerfield at becki.dangerfield@sc.edu or call 777 9505. Adult CPR class to be held in P.E Center Health and Wellness programs will offer an American Red Cross Adult CHI course from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Blatt RE. Center for $20. For more in formation call 777-6518. Honor society to hold meeting in RH The National Society of Collegiate Schol ars will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Tues day on the third floor of the Russell House. For more information, call Ian at 544 0962. A_A_I I_ HlllUlrU MWdIU III ue offered to professors The Amoco Award for Outstanding Teaching is given annually to an out standing teacher in undergraduate courses. The committee urges students to nominate their most effective un dergraduate professor. Students should write a letter with the name of the nominee and a short paragraph giving the reasons for the nomination. The letter should be addressed to Lori Thombs, chair of the Amoco Commit tee, Department of Statistics, USC. The deadline is March 3. The winner will be announced at the spring general faculty meeting. The winner will re ceive a check and certificate, and the winner’s name is engraved on a perma nent plaque on the main floor of Thomas Cooper Library. Previous winners are not eligible. CORRECTIONS The Gamecock strives to report the facts correctly and responsibly. If you come across any inaccuracies in our reportage, . please let us know. 5, STUDENTS ,»tiona/A J| WANTED j? X 55 - ^ y* ^ For more ^ £-j information on how o> W you can widen your -| H educational horizons and become a student '% Q ambassador from the pj University of South ^ Carolina, please attend - jjj one of the NSE Information Sessions to be held on <, £ Tuesday, February 8; Wednesday, February 9; and 2 Thursday, February 10 in Room 322/326 of the ^ Russell House. £ Each session will begin at 3 pm. 10 fop, <5^pPPfsJP 3Tp^^T -/Vr H l^oofj CoM^ VW? U-^T^J TO pMTfopjM^ yfofp |p^4s/ yfrcSCAti -A^K cJWWAX&z G?U&£>T\o\\£> \& £ 17 vtff& o/\Klf\|£ fop ofTTc^ps VWP ^rMrop5 •fold 1£> y6rrg= -t^oGr Ojvl 7» Vlp.3C.£R/ '^T^p y€>t/p 37VPf^T IP Vfr|P PW /^M^P 'c£jcp TR^ p^p^ofM^ •Pi^ ~Cfloo3fS 37VP^^T (S'OV^P^M^T ^^crio/^3