State College not *ust for football and parties
By MATT MCCOMAS
Columnist
@PSU.EDU
Just because football season is over
in Happy Valley, doesn't mean the
good times are.
In fact, you may find State College
to be more enjoyable without game
days. Events are still scheduled and
prices are still low, but the traffic and
crowds are gone.
So why visit University Park when
the Nittany Lions are not playing at
Beaver Stadium? It's simple. The
area is still a happening place, even
when the season is changing from fall
to winter.
First, let us start on campus with the
Bryce Jordan Center.
The men's basketball team provided
some exciting games last year.
For example, the highly ranked
Ohio State Buckeyes came to town
on Valentine's Day and the game
came down to one final shot at the
buzzer. The women's team also plays
in the BJC and competes night in and
night out.
If sports are not of interest to you,
have no fear. The BJC also hosts
many musical talents. On Nov. 30,
rock legend John Mellencamp will
be performing in front of what is sure
to be a packed house.
For those of you who are in to the arts
and enjoy seeing events in the form
of a play, a reproduction of the classic
story "Annie" will be performed Dec.
4 at the Center for the Performing
Arts. Another place of interest for art
lovers is the Palmer Museum located
on campus.
'The museum features American
art, European art and Non-Western
art. The' exhibits feature art from
several time periods and also provide
special sections such as ceramics
and photography. Located near the
Ricky Gervais presents Extras: X-Mas special
By DUSTY SIPES
Columnist
DWSSO67@PSU.EDU
The funniest man in England, Ricky
Gervais, announced on his Web site
earlier this week that HBO has first
dibs on releasing the series finale
of his cult hit show "Extras". Along
with Stephen Merchant, Gervais has
written and directed the 12 episodes
that make up the entire series, in
addition to the hour-long Christmas
Special. The show is set to premiere
on Dec. 16 at 9 p.m.
"Extras" had been an insider's
look at the grim aspects of being a
Hollywood extra on major studio
productions. The story focuses on the
relationship between Andy Millman
(Gervais), his worthless manager
Darren Lamb (Merchant) and his
co-extra Maggie Jacobs (Ashley
Jensen). In addition, virtually every
episode contains a cameo appearance
from notable Hollywood celebrities
and musicians such as Pirates of
the Caribbean's Orlando Bloom and
Coldplay's Chris Martin.
The series follows a formula that
is similar to Rob Reiner's 1984 film
"This is Spinal Tap".
We follow the story via a behind
the scenes documentary crew that
catches all the "too painful to watch
moments" when Andy forgets there
mer Museum at University Park allows students to expand their minds while having
r Museum is Penn State's visiting any of the bars or restaurants in a show for a couple
is Berkey Creamery. on College Avenue. hours. Besides, ma-
world, the creamery offers a variety of
flavors so everyone passing through
can satisfy their own personal taste
buds.
Speaking of things that are cold,
Tussey Mountain is just miles down
the road from campus. If you are a
snow bunny, this place is for you.
Tussey Mountain offers skiing and
tubing for you and your friends to
enjoy.
There is also a lounge area for people
wanting to warm up before hitting the
slopes again.
If you prefer to stay inside and keep
warm, you may want to consider
is a camera
crew watching.
Picture NBC's
"The Office"
when Michael
Scott is making
a racist joke to
warm the crowd
at the company
holiday party.
Oh, and by
the way,
Ricky Gervais
and Stephen
Merchant wrote
the original
version of "The
Office" before it
was adapted into
an American
series. Like
"Extras," the
original BBC
run of "The
Office" only
lasted 13 shows
including a
Christmas
Special.
For more info on Ricky Gervais or the TV show "Extras" check out the website
www.rickygervais.com.
This is not due
to terrible ratings or lack of ideas,
Gervais and Merchant dedicate
themselves to making a piece of
lasting art instead of a throw away
sitcom.
They have both cited their influence
brought up, many times, people think
of alcoholic beverages.
As that could be the case, if you are
of age, it is not the only reason to
venture downtown.
The G-Man offers intriguing trivia
games, which do include prizes to the
winners. Grab a group of friends and
try your luck against other competing
teams.
Next door to the G-Man is the
Carmike Cinema 5 movie theater.
Now I know people don't travel that
far to watch movies,
but if you are in town for more than
a few days, you may want to take
for this reasoning on the classic BBC
television series Fawlty Towers. The
series lasted a total of 12 episodes,
but has had a remaining impact on
British television being hailed by
critics as one ofthe greatest television
that you have missed
and want to view.
As far as viewing
goes, College Avenue
has plenty of spots for
If it is televised games you wish
to watch then I would recommend
stopping in the Sports Café or the
Lion's Den.
They have the biggest TVs downtown
and have seating to accommodate
people who wish to view the games.
If live music tickles your fancy, then
you are in the right town. The Cell
Block, Saloon and Café 210 West all
shows of all time
Gervais and
Merchant felt the
topic of sitcom
drudge was suitable
enough to base the
later half of series
one and the entire
second series
to in "Extras".
While working
as a throwaway
background actor,
Andy Millman
has been working
on a script for a
television series
he hopes to star in.
His original intent
is for the show
to be a modern
classic without
gimmicks. With
a simple twist of
fate, at the hands of
Millman's terribly
awful manager,
the script winds up
in the right hands
where it is sent
into production. The only catch is the
show is exactly what Andy feared the
show would be: a throwaway sitcom
with a gimmick catch phrase.
The greater half of season two
shows Andy's rise to an overnight
THE CAPITAL TIMES
provide customers with bands
These are not Guitar Hero wannabes
and people who just like to make
loud noises.
Quality bands are booked at these
locations.
The instrumental playing is
phenomenal and the lyrical singing
is delightful. Fan interaction is
constant, so brush up on your Penn
State cheers.
Berkey Creamery gives PSU students a chance to
'chill' out and enjoy their favorite flavors.
In conclusion, you now see that State
College, Pa. is not just a "football
town." Granted on game days the city
becomes the third largest in the state,
but there is so much more to do that
people are unaware of.
I have only written about a few things
that you can do while up there.
I encourage you to research more
and take a trip to UP sometime and
enjoy all the town has to offer.
star. The critics hate him, but the fans
love him. We are there every step
of the way as Millman's hit show
"When the Whistle Blows" becomes
a cultural phenomenon, particularly
heightened by the show's catch
phrase "Are you having a laugh?"
Andy, meanwhile, continually
contemplates his motives with bouts
of self-loathing. He continually
asks himself, is this what he wants
to be famous for? The final episode
of season two aired on Oct. 19,
2006 with a load of loose ends that
will hopefully be fulfilled within
the Christmas special. But with
Gervais, it is likely to have an ending
like The Sopranos (leaving much
to interpretation). Like Soprano's
creator David Chase, Gervais would
never think of sacrificing genius for
public approval.
For anyone who wants to get
caught up on the series, both seasons
are available on DVD, and while
you're at it, make sure you pick up
the complete series of the original
"Office". In my personal opinion, it
is truly the funniest television show
of all time.
Gervais and Merchant claim this is
the end of their comedy route. They
plan to write a more serious series
next time. It may be a long time
before it sees the light of day, but I
assure you, it will be worth the wait.
November 12, 2007
fly AR#O.O9OIAUSY
Cokarat
MOSOO2OPSVEOLI
"What if you find out everyone
that's in your life is only being
paid off by a T.V. studio. And every
conversation everyone's had with
you was scripted by the writers
living in Los Angeles. Smile for the
camera." This is the opening verse
of the newly released Armor For
Sleep CD, "Smile For Them".
"Smile For Them" is a unique
album•filled with intriguing lyrics
that beg the listener to open their
minds up to many new questions.
For instance what would you do if
your entire life was scripted and the
only one not aware of the reality,
was you?
The album has a great kick off
with their first song, "Smile for the
Camera". The song plays out a tale
of a twisted reality. The music and
lyrics compliment each other quite
well.
However if you are in search of
something a bit more depressing,
please continue on to listen to
"Willamsburg". On this track
you will hear lyrics that follow
along the lines of, "Hold your
own jacket please, I'm not in the
mood. Millions of trains under the
ground, this city was the blueprint
for hell." Though the lyrics are a
bit aggressive the song is still quite
wonderful!
The album slows down a bit once
we hit track four, "Hold the Door".
The mellow music allows for the
lyrics to take front stage. It is a
strong song of progression and
growth, slow, yet powerful.
The album picks back up on the
next track, "Run Right Back In".
This track delves into how humans
lack the ability to run away from
things that we know are bad for
us. The music compliments the
lyrics perfectly and makes for an
enjoyable listening experience.
However, I am not quite sure what
the band was trying to prove with
their track, "Snow Globe". It is
one minute and forty-nine seconds
long. The lyrics are minimal and
the drums are quite distractive.
But the album gets better when
you hit the next track which
many of you may be familiar with
thanks to the phenomenal movie,
Transformers. The track is called
"End of the World" and is probably
one of my favorites! Though the
lyrics seem rather negative it makes
one truly appreciate our lives as
they are.
"I was chasing comets with a
butterfly net, thinking I could pull
one down again but I was just
slipping into my little day dream."
These are lyrics from "Stars in
Your Eyes", a creative tale of
daydreams. The instrumental on
this track is rather bland but the
lyrics make up for it.
Unfortunately the next two tracks
are a bit on the not so wonderful
side. "Lullaby" is a miserable
feeling track about how anyone
can survive if they simply learn
to settle for what the world offers,
rather than fighting for what they
truly dream of. Which is followed
by the track, "Chemicals", a sadly
unpleasant song that talks of drug
usage and death. This song is
bound to leave you a little down.
Therefore we should all be
thankful that the album ends with
two wonderful tracks. The first
one being "My Saving Grace"
which tells of a tale of a man who
finally lets go of something that he
wants very much but knows that
he is better off without it. Which
is then followed by "Stand in the
Spotlight".
This is a great track that begs one
not to change themselves because
some day everyone will finally see
how wonderful they are.
The album "Smile For Them" is
absolutely wonderful! The lyrics
are spectacular, the variety of
moods is uncommon, and the way
it is all compiled makes it edgy and