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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 1999)
) e 3 | Wednesday. January 20, 1999 The Battalion A GGIELIFE Decade later ‘Simpsons’ still No. 1, JlComedy Central skyrockets shows to top 10 )HIT^ BY JACOB HUVAL AND SCOTT HARRIS The Battalion N ineteen ninety-eight was an important and altogether challenging year for television. Polls indicated that the majority of prime-tar- et Audiences were hitting the theaters more than ' ver. Meanwhile, broadcasting company mergers were hanging the face of programming. The tediously ersi stent (as well as generally irritating) presiden- al scandal update prevalent to most networks jireutened television’s appeal and consequently its uality. Yet, despite numerous setbacks and techni calities, there were still some notable programs to enjoy. science prole very differem iystem. many of “The Simpsons” — Although “The Simpsons” is entering its 10th season, Matt Groening’s cartoon-come- dy concoction is still a major con- ti hil are a a n( 3 er j n prime-time race. By far, the most te*ily acclaimed cartoon series of the ’90s, “The boxer, a se iimpsons” remains a staple of the international ent s in Li nt^rtainment diet. Why is it that after almost 10 sit as a jur . ears 0 f “Aye, carumba!” and “D’oh!,” viewers isure how | 3Ve not strayed from “The Simpsons?” M'he variety and spontaneity of the humor is n workings.nough to entice a broad audience, while the all witnesses, a tj re 0 f contemporary life maintains viewer loyal- each witness y what has made “The Simpsons” unique to irifne-time programming for the last 10 years is its has been touted as one of the few sincerely “smart” cop shows, more often resorting to crisp, psychologi cal sparring between characters than overblown gunfights. “The Daily Show” — Before this pro gram news magazine, shows such as “Dateline” and “20/20” have been elusive to comic ridicule. “The Daily Show” of fers a tremendously ironic and acclaimed brand of humor that helps everybody take them selves less seriously. Robert Hynecek/The Battalion guest appearances, musical scores and subject ma terial. The 1998 season featured guest stars Janeane Garofalo, James Earl Jones, Alex Trebeck, U2 and Steve Martin, to name a few. In its 10th season, “The Simpsons” is a time less relic that reveals the comedy of human nature, a sort of warped, carnival mirror for all the ages, reflecting perhaps not-our-best face, but a face that is nonetheless enjoyable. “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” — In just five years, Conan O’Brien has so lidified his position as the king of late night. With the help of his sidekick Andy Richter and band leader Max Weinberg, O’Brien has taken the reigns of the late night chariot and left Leno and Letterman in the dust. O’Brien uses his wry wit and offbeat sense of hu mor to keep the viewers watching. With chilling looks into the year 2000 where the movie “Spice World” is still the number one rated movie and re curring characters such as Pimpbot, how can he not be king? An “Homicide: Life on the Street’ oasis in the desert of second-rate police and hospital dramas, “Homicide” has be come a weekly blockbuster. Conceived by Hollywood director Barry Levinson and written by Tom Fontana, “Homicide” Fox Specials — Perhaps volume is more important than quality. Throughout the 1998 season, Fox broadcasting touted see Television on Page 4 O'*;- ^ H -v.'O ft 1 1999 SALE All Sweatshirts $19.99 Any 2 A&M T-Shirts $19.99 PapM^O LukeSaugieb* 17 ctofVan S** BarkW All This Week Post Oak Mall 764-4444 0 4 [> A ,^4*,