By Kayley ErlandsonWith the large incoming freshman class at Valley City State University this year, one of the key issues that has become an issue for students and faculty is the lack of parking spaces. Although the spaces near McCoy and Robertson are usually pretty full, there is no room for members of Kolstoe to park. What do you think could/should be done?
Ricky Gervais has always been known for his unapologetic sense of humor. But at the 2010 Golden Globe awards, the actor/comedian ruffled more than a few feathers in the Hollywood henhouse. This article from Yahoo news confirms what many people who witnessed Gervais’ often inappropriate jabs at the rich and the famous suspected: Gervais will not be hosting the Globes a third time.
Click here for a sample of Gervais' behavior at the Golden Globes
I don’t know whether I agree with the author of this article or not, since their opinion was left out and they merely reported the facts. However, I think it’s a good idea for Gervais to say that he will not host again. His behavior was more akin to a stand-up routine at a club, where the people he was making fun of were not present. The Golden Globes is a more formal event that celebrates the achievements of the year. Although everything that Gervais said was true and often funny, it felt a little mean-spirited, since it was a formal awards ceremony.
I don’t think all the blame should fall with Gervais, though. The people who hired him for the Globes should have been aware of his personality and normal shtick. As someone who has watched his comedy routines, it is extremely obvious that he doesn’t care about being politically correct. In addition to hosting the Globes, Gervais has also hosted the Emmy’s. However, his exploits there did not earn him the negative feedback that he had when hosted the Globes. His routine at the Emmy’s included asking Steve Carell, who had accepted Gervais’ Emmy the year before, for his award back. For a while, it didn’t even seem like either Gervais or Carell was joking, and the situation felt a little awkward, but the ending erased almost all the awkward feelings with its punchline, and the sketch transitioned smoothly into the next award.
Although Gervais made fun of many different celebrities this year, like he did last year, I believe the joke that sent him over into all of this publicity concerned Philip Berk and his Hollywood Foreign Press Association, (the organization that chooses the Golden Globe winners). Gervais made a couple of jokes about the HFPA accepting bribes to have certain films nominated. The HFPA was less than amused. However, I find it odd that many of the movies that the HFPA usually nominates for "Best Comedy" at the Golden Globes are far raunchier in terms of sex and language, while the term "politically correct" doesn't show up in their dictionary. For instance, the R-rated comedy 'The Hangover' won last year. Anyone who has seen it (whether they liked it or not) can vouch for the fact that The Hangover tries to shock its viewers with its content. I just think it's ironic that the HFPA seems to tolerate this brand of humor...unless it is directed at them.
My personal opinion on Gervais' behavior? His jokes were well executed and clever. I laughed. But I didn't feel good about it. Although I believe many of the award ceremonies in Hollywood are flawed and the celebrities can be spoiled rich people, it is still a celebration. Gervais put the guests in uncomfortable positions. His job was to host, not roast.
By Kayley Erlandson
The type of writing that I would like to do is analytical writing or reviewing topics that interest me. I find myself constantly analyzing things around me, and find it easiest to express myself through the written word in this way. I find it more difficult to do a straightforward report where I have to remove myself from the equation.
I am not sure where I would like to be published. I think an online publication or a newspaper would be the most effective way to share my views with the world.
The topics that interest me most are those concerning our culture, our media, and our pop culture. I believe that all three of these entities are constantly affecting each other. Media especially affects how we see the world, by the way that news is presented and what news is presented. Even though media can affect its different forms, the media can affect the public or vice versa.
As for inspiration, stories are what inspire me the most. They could be fictional stories or a true story, but when I have someone to relate to (a character or a real person) it is easier to humanize what is being presented.
