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Idol’ provides fame for untalented Hung BY DANIEL FIENBERG KltT CAMPUS The good news for “American Idol” fans ife that you may not have seen the last of William Hung. The bad news for “American Idol” fans is that you may not have heard the last of William Hung. “American Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe admits that they're anxious to get the Bay Area belter back for a mid series special tentatively titled “Uncut, Uncensored and Untalented.” Hung's rise to stardom and Internet notoriety has been one of the strangest side effects of the new season of the FOX reality smash. A studeht at the University of California, Berkeley, Hung arrived at the show's San Francisco auditions and performed what can most generously be described as a somewhat spastic, somewhat tone-deaf rendition of the Ricky Martin hit “She Bangs.” Even more endearing than the unintentionally comedic cov er, was Hung's insistence that he had never had any vocal train ing, judge Simon Cowell’s mock amazement and the contestant's casual and gracious acceptance of the criticism. Rather than fading into the woodwork, Hung has become a celebrity. Despite initial protes tations that his new fame em barrassed him, he has begun making public appearances and his “She Bangs” performance has been passed around the • Internet. The website www.will hung.net has gotten millions of hits and Hung was impersonat- • ed by Jimmy Fallon on “Saturday Night Live.” Lucas CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 were touched up or enhanced. A few changes were even good, like the extended celebration scene af ter the destruction of the Death Star that closes “The Return of the Jecji.” But what remains more mem orable about the special editions is what they do wrong. Some of the background changes make normally enjoyable scenes overly busy. A ridiculous alien song and dance scene is added in “The Return of the Jedi.” And one of the most infamous changes made to the first film makes tough guy Han Solo look a great deal less tough, when a scene where Solo kills a troublesome bounty hunter is turned into a homicide out of self-defense. According to Jim Ward, a marketer at “Star Wars”-maker Lucasfilm, Lucas is justified in his decision. “The official defini tive versions are the 1997 special editions. That's the version the artist, in this case George Lucas, intended to be seen,” Ward said. Other filmmakers have not treated their fans with such dis regard. Late last year, the four films in the “Alien” series were re-released on DVD. Each indi vidual film contained scenes from multiple cuts, allowing the viewers to choose which version they would see. Last year, another legendary filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, an nounced that his alien master piece “E.T.” would only be re leased in its altered form — the version that was released to the aters in 2001. After fans ex pressed great dissatisfaction with his decision, Spielberg an nounced just before the film's re lease in November that he would include the original version of the film, as well, as a “Christmas gift” to his fans. So, what fans are asking of Lucas is not unprecedented by any stretch of the imagination. But his decision shows a disre gard for those true fans that have given him so much. It's almost certain that the “Star Wars” set will break all DVD sales records. But just don't be surprised if Lucas asks you to pull out your wallet again in a few years and decides to release the original versions in a box set with the completed prequel trilogy. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu Breakfast CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 House, which feature diverse selections of cheap eats. Marlin Debramaletta, a first-year busi ness student, orders “pancakes, hash browns, eggs, and orange juice” when he is off campus at the local Waffle House. On-campus diners turn to the Grand Market Place for their breakfast food needs. The GMP serves a buffet-style breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Many students have a “usual” order they rely on to start their day. Lavetta Milton, a second-year chemistry student, said, “I usu ally get grits, eggs, bacon or a ham and cheese omelet.” The Bates House Cafe is also a pop ular choice for breakfast eaters who live on the south side of campus. Make time to enjoy a whole some breakfast during the week, whether it's a full meal or an energy bar and juice. Your day will go a lot smoother and it will keep your stomach from growling in class. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu ‘Angel’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 the fans and the story. For any other show, I would toss this horrifying news of can cellation to the winds of corporate fatalism, blame flagging ratings or resign myself to making light of the aging actor playing an im mortal Spike. A born-again cynic, I've never cried over a TV show's termination; it’s always seemed trite and overly idealist. But there is gaping hole at the pit of my stomach I just can’t shake; I feel like a family member was shot point blank for no appar ent reason. Is it some kind of em barrassing faux pas to weep for a series? Is that wrong? Do I care? “Angel” should not be ending this way, with the network cutting it off at the knees. The show should continue until the creators decide they have completed their story. This entire situation is not just an insult to the show; I as a committed fan feel personally be trayed. Along with the cast and crew of this amazing series, my heart is breaking. Comments on this story? El-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu Movie.Review Kurt Russell works hockey ‘Miracle ’ ‘MIRACLE’ ★★★★ out of ☆ BY PAT CAULEY THE GAMECOCK Watching “Miracle” is an un usual movie-going experience — the end of the film is well known. In 1980, America desperately needed heroes — the Cold War was intensifying, Americans were being held hostage, and the coun try was plagued with soaring prices and shortages of gasoline. Enter the United States Olympic hockey team, which went on to up setting the Soviet Union and go ing on to win the gold medal. “Miracle” is the story of 20 rugged young men who banded to gether behind their coach, Herb Brooks, to overcome their diver sities and become needed heroes. Kurt Russell plays coach Brooks impressively. Russell's grasp on the character is ex tremely believable. The relation ship between Brooks and his wife remains another intriguing part of the plotline. Brooks sometimes seems too involved with the team, spending little time at home. The couple's complex relationship in the film helps viewers identify with Russell's character. The film's cast is perfectly cho sen, right down to the goofy “vil lain” Soviet Union coach with ridiculously bushy eyebrows. Director Gavin O'Connor keeps the relatively long film moving at a good pace and creates an effec tive balance between scenes on and off the ice. However, at a running time of around two hours and 20 minutes, there was room to edit and cut some scenes. Regardless, “Miracle” is touching and good for the entire family to enjoy. The movie also in stills viewers with a sense of patri otism. Themes _ ui /liiici l^aii pride flow through the en tire film. From the waving flags and “USA” chants, to the charac ters' national pride, the play ers’ spirit is evi dent even dur ing such a diffi cult period in U.S. history. For those who think that America is in dark times right now, going to see “Miracle” could be just what the doctor ordered. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Kurt Russell plays Coach Herb Brooks. The 2004 South Carolina Book Festival — the 8th annual celebration of the written word — is just around the comer! This is your invitation to join thousands oi readers at the SC State f airgrounds in Columbia to hear from over 70 authors, browse more than too vendors and enjoy two days of books, writers, shopping and fim! Far details please check out our website at www.scbookfesuval.org or call 803-771-2477. -. Saturday. February 28th yam - 6pm FREE ADM,SSION Sunday,February 2yth n Pm r 6>m s<" State Fairgrounds1 OI l v,BIA www.scbookfestival.org SPONSORED BY The Humanities Council * William and Marion Langfan Constitutional Oratorical Prize When: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Why: For prizes: First place $1000, Second place $500, and Third place $250. Who: Full-time student at the University of South Carolina (both undergraduate and graduate students qualify). Deadline for registration: 12 noon on February 23, 2004 i Topic: To be announced 48 hours before preliminary rounds (February 23 at 3pm) and the same topic will be used in the final round. The topic will involve an issue in constitutional law. .,:M m Process: Preliminary rounds will take place at 4pm on Wednesday, vi es ■■ February 25 at a location that will be designated at the web site. Mi Jjlj ||j| Anyone who dc>f$ not show cannot make up the speech. There are 'A"-' no exceptions. JJje final round #111 be at 7pm. Speeches are are to be 8 minutes long and they will be timed. They must include quoted materialffrom secondary sources and the sources must be communicated in the speech. No audio or visual aids may be used - including power point. This contest is hosted by Carolina Debate and the Moore School of Business and funded by a gift from William and Marion Langfan. For more info visit http://www.cla.sc.edu/ENGL/Faculty/8erube/Debate/Langfan.htm IEaKEit... Hf OURSELF! ii. at iMtS >gvn5M^aro