The State from Columbia, South Carolina • 34

408 Tire ALL COND WWW.THESTATE.COM THE STATE, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 D3 LIFESTYLE COMEDY FROM PAGE D1 laughs drew criticism instead. In February, some Hispanics were outraged after a satirical Vanity Fair advice column counseled against learning Spanish, asking, "Who speaks it that you are really desperate to to? The help? Your leaf blower? Study French or German, where there are at least a few books worth reading, or, if you're American, try English." Sikh groups demanded Miramax remove a scene in the movie "Dysfunktional Family" in which a man wearing a turban is called Osama bin Laden. And some black moviegoers said a character who poked fun at civil rights icons in the film "Barbershop" last year was disrespectful. The Vanity Fair column provoked a scathing letter from Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek, who was on the magazine's cover. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists warned that "humor and satire are not safe hiding places for ignorance and bigotry." The magazine apologized, saying the remarks of entertainer Barry Humphries, in the guise of Dame Edna, "were meant to satirize stereotypes, not reinforce them." For some, the issue went beyond advice dispensed by a guy in drag.

"Lots of times, Latinos are invisible in the pages of magazines," said Joseph Torres, association spokesman. "I think there's extra sensitivity to how we're portrayed in a magazine or in a situation comedy because there's such a void there." Aleong, an actor and president of the Media Action Network for Asian-Americans, feels the same way about "Banzai." He watched the show with Fox officials before it aired and voiced his complaints to them. "We can take a joke," Aleong said. But "all I saw were geeky Asian guys, nerdy guys. I'm saying, 'Where is the You can poke fun at people, you can ridicule them, but please show some balance." Fox says the show, which originally aired in Britain, was a parody of Japanese game shows.

It "shouldn't be viewed as anything more than what it is a very different kind of game show," Fox said in a statement, adding that it had been a leader in promoting Asian-American talent. "I like the challenges, the innovation of it all," said Noble, a white man who lives in Ashburn, Va. "I certainly don't base my opinion on Asia down to this one show. I'm obviously open minded enough to realize it's not like that. It's just a funny show." Racial scrutiny also can extend to what comedians say about their own ethnic groups.

Mexican-American cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz, whose nationally syndicated "La Cucaracha" strip provides a biting view of the world through the eyes of its Hispanic characters, said that in humor, "anything goes." Some Hispanics have told him they don't like the title of the strip, or the way the characters dress in flannel shirts and baggy pants, Alcaraz said. Vietnam Vietnamese-American comedian Dat Phan has turned painful experiences into comic material with a racial undercurrent. He has "It's almost OK to say something about your own race and whites, but you can't cross over to a different race." Pam Geroianni, a 'Banzai' fan who is Hispanic joked about introducing himself to a Vietnam veteran as "Charlie" and used his own name as fodder, quipping, "It's pretty hot in here. Can you turn on dat fan over there?" Phan figures that, by poking fun at himself, he turns the table on people like the classmates who picked on him in school. "I got to the punch line before they could," he said.

Phil Yu, author of a Weblog titled Angry Asian Man, said he supported Phan's work because Phan is Asian, "in a profession where there are very few Asians." But some also fear Phan may be seen as "just this funny guy who does this accent," he said. In the end, every group seems to take its lumps from some comedian. But these days an almost universal target seems to be white people. "It's almost OK to say something about your own race and whites, but you can't cross over to a different race," said Pam Geroianni, a "Banzai" fan who is Hispanic. "White seems to be a free-for-all." Political satirist Bill Maher agrees that a double standard exists when it comes to race and comedy but he says it's easy to see why.

"Obviously black people can get away with saying things about white people that white people couldn't be saying about black people," Maher said. "Black people should be able to do things we don't get to do, because of all the things we did to them that they didn't do to us." Whites are "the majority. We're the culture that has run the show," Maher said. So of course whites "are going to be a big target." MIDNIGHT SHOWS FRIDAY SATURDAY Adults $5.50 Midnight Only! PHOENIX THEATRES Students Military with ID $5.50 "Columbia PLACE CINEMA 8" (FoRMERly Columbia Mall) Two Nock PARKLANE Ar. Columbia Mall Showtimes 788-7664 or www.phoenixtheatres.com The Fighting Temptations (PG-13) 11:45, 1:00, 2:25, 3:45, 5:10, 6:50, 7:45, 9:30, 10:20, 12:05 Underworld (R) 11:50, 2:20, 4:45, 10:00, 12:20 Second Hand Lions (PG) 12:00, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15, 9:45, 12:10 Cabin Fever (R) 1:15, 3:20, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40, 11:45 Once Upon A Time In Mexico (R) 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:35, 9:50, 12:00 Matchstick Men (PG-13) 1:40, 4:20, 7:00 Jeepers Creepers (R) 12:40 2:55, 5:15, 7:40, 10:05, 12:15 S.

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09066-65 NOW PLAYING CHECK LOCAL DIRECTORIES FOR THEATER INFORMATION. SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT. Visit Showtimes.SonyPictures.com LISTINGS RICH STATE Rich O'Dell, general manager at WLTX, says Berry and Strickland's ties to South Carolina played a big part in the decision to move the duo to the evening newscasts. WLTX FROM PAGE D1 Strickland, who joined WLTX in 1997, is a 1993 graduate of Summerville High School and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Berry is a native of Sumter, where he still lives.

He began his Midlands broadcast career in radio there in 1977. "I think we have a greater appreciation for things that are important to South Carolinians," Strickland said. She pointed to their coverage of U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond's death and funeral this summer.

Strickland and Berry stayed on the air for nearly two dozen hours over two days, patiently taking phone calls from viewers and letting them express their thoughts about Thurmond. "Because of having grown up in this state, I think we really understood what they were feeling," Strickland said. EASTERN www.easternfederal.com FEDERAL MOVIES AT POLO ROAD 9700 TWO NOTCH ROAD 1-800-555-TELL OR 788-7818 FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS (PG-13) 1:00, 3:30 7:10, 9:35 COLD CREEK MANOR (R) 3:35, 7:25, 9:50 UNDERWORLD (R) 12:55, 3:25, 7:00, 9:40 SECONDHAND LIONS (PG) 12:45, 3:00, 5:15 7:30, 9:45 ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (R) 1:10 3:15, 5:20, 7:25, 9:30 MATCHSTICK MEN 1:00, 3:30, 7:00 9.40 DICKIE ROBERTS (PG-13) 1:15, 3:15, 5:15 7:15, 9:15 FREAKY FRIDAY (PG) 1:05, 3:05, 5:05, 7:05, 9:05 DIGITAL VISA SOUND SHOWTIME FOR TODAY ONLY! STUDENT DISCOUNT EVERY EVENING MATINEE Twilight Pricing 14-DAY ADVANCED TICKETING AVAILABLE NO PASSES (.) -Twilight Shows CONSOLIDATED THEATRES PAVILION HWY 378 ROUTE 6 951-3603 "Lexington's Favorite www.consolidatedmovies.com COLD CREEK MANOR 1:00, 4:15, 7:15, 9:45 ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (R) 1:10, 4:30, 7:30, 9:50 CABIN FEVER (R) 1:05, 4:05, 7:20, 9:30 UNDERWORLD (R) 1:20, 4:25, 7:25, 9:55 SECONDHAND LIONS (PG) 1:15, 3:45, 7:00, 9:20 FREAKY FRIDAY (PG) 1:55, 4:10, 7:10, 9:25 MATCHSTICK MEN (PG-13) 1:40, 4:20, 7:05, 9:40 DICKIE ROBERTS (PG-13) 1:30, 4:00, 7:40, 10:00 28233-65 Discounts Now Accepting NO MOVIE MADNESS, DISCOUNT TICKETS CONSOLIDATED THEATRES ColumbiANA GRANDE CINEMAS Harbison Blvd. 407-9898 Highback seats that Rock! STADIUM SEATiNG! www.consolidatedmovies.com Pirates Of The Caribbean (PG-13) 12:55, 3:55, 6.55, 10:00 Matchstick Men (PG-13) 1:40, 2:20, 4:20,5:00, 7:00 7:40, 9:40, 10:20 Once Upon A Time In Mexico (R) 12:40, 2:30, 3:10 450,5:30, 7:20, 8:00, 9:50, 10:30 Freaky Friday (PG) 2:00, 4:25, 6:50,9:15 Cabin Fever (R) 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 Le Divorce (PG-13) 1:00,4:30,7:15, 9:50 Seabiscuit (PG-13) 12:45, 3:45, 9:45 Anything Else (R) 1:50,4:40,7:05, 9:30 Dickie Roberts (PG-13) 2.25, 4:55, 7:25, 9:50 Cold Creek Manor (R) 1:10,4:10, 7:35, 10:10 Magdalene Sisters (R) 12:50,4:00, 7:10, 10:00 S.W.A.T. (PG-13) 1:30,4:15,7:45, 10:25 The Rundown (PG-13) 7:30 28235-65 Discounts Credit Cards Greenbax No Movie Madness, Discount Tickets Rich O'Dell, WLTX general manager, said such local ties played a big part in the decision to move the duo to the evening.

"We wanted to put people in there who were from South Carolina, wanted to stay in South Carolina and really cared about South Carolina," he said. Doug Fisher, a journalism professor at USC and a onetime news anchor himself, said Strickland and Berry have done a good job. "They do what a good anchor team is supposed to do," Fisher said. "They make the news flow, and they make themselves comfortable with the viewers and the viewers comfortable with them. "As much as anything, they generally try to keep down the happy talk.

J.R. brings a journalistic sensibility to the team. "It's a matter of style. I think they offer a good contrast to what you find on the other stations." Away from the studio, Strickland and Berry have plenty to keep them busy. Strickland does a lot of volun- We've Lowered our Prices SUPER BARGAIN MATINEE ALL SEATS From 4:00 NOW ACCEPTING DEBIT CARDS (armbe Cinemas GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE AT www.carmike.com Carmike 14 781-3067 122 AFTON COURT STADIUM SEATING IN ALL AUDITORIUMS Second Hand Lions (2 Prints) (PG) 1:30, 2:00,4:00 4:30,7:00, 7:30, 9:30, 10:00 Underworld (2 Prints) (R) 1:00, 1:30, 4:00, 4:40 7:00,7:30, 9:45, 10:00 The Order (R) 2:10, 4:30, 7:20, 9:30 American Wedding (R) 2:00, 4:15, 7:30, 9:45 Bad Boys 2 (R) 1:15, 4:40,7:45 Finding Nemo (G) 1:00, 4:40, 7:15, 9:30 Jeepers Creepers (R) 1:15, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45 Open Range (R) 1:00,4:00, 7:00, 9:55 The Medallion (PG-13) 1:00,3.15, 5:30,7:45, 9:45 The Secret Lives Of A Dentist 4:00, 7:00, 9:30 Spy Kids 3-d (PG) 1:00, 3:15, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 The Fighting Temptations 4:15, 7:20, 9:40) 10 782-8100 5320 FORREST DRIVE NOW ALL SCREENS STADIUM SEATING STADIUM SEATING RE IN ALL AUDITORIUMS 0 PRESENTED SOUND Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2 Prints) 1:30 2:00,4:00, 4:30, 7:00, 7:30, 9:30, 10:00 Cabin Fever (R) 2:00, 4:30, 7:30, 10:00 Cold Creek Manor (R) 1:15, 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 Matchstick Men (PG-13) 1:30, 4:15,7:15, 9:45 Seabiscuit (R) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 10:00 Swat (R) 1:30, 4:00, 7:00,9:45 Pirates Of The Carribean (PG-13) 1:00, 4:00 7:00, 10:05 Dickie Roberts (PG-13) 2:10,4:30, 7:20,9:35 Uptown Girls (PG-13) 1:45,430,7:30, 10:00 28252-65 Call Theatre 782-7744 for Details THE THRILLER EVENT OF THE FALL THAT WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS.

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750-5130 788-7818 782-8100 407-9898 09058-65 TICKETS ACCEPTED Darci Reese (now Darci Strickland), 4 teer work, likes to read and exercises. And then there is Torre Rush. "We recently became engaged," Strickland said, flashing that big smile familiar to WLTX viewers. The two will marry in June. Berry is an avid golfer, but not all of his time is spent on the J.R.

Berry, 6 course. He and his wife, Gaye, have six children and nine grandchildren. "We have a blast," Berry said with a wide grin. Reach Nye at (803) 771-8395 or "Two. Thumbs EBERT ROEPER anything else DREAMWORKS GRAYER PRODUCTIONE INC.

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