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The Eastern Progress, Thursday, September 26, 2013
Man-eating jelly spells the end HILARIOUS HORROR NOVEL KEEPS THE JOKES COMING THROUGH THE SWEET-SMELLING END By MICHAEL EMERSON progress.eku.edu Numerous stories have detailed different people’s interpretation of Armageddon, but what if the great apocalyptic threat was a man-eating jelly that smelled of strawberries. JAM, set in present-day Australia, features a ragtag group of strangers who must work together to survive the “Jampocalypse,” as they make their way through the city of Brisbane. Along the way, they meet other survivors, fi nd twisted makeshift civilizations, and do their best to keep their head above the pink-shaded muck that wishes to consume every living thing imaginable. JAM is the second novel from acclaimed internet videogame critic, Ben Croshaw, whose fi rst book was the pseudo-fantasy/ sci-fi comedy, MOGWORLD. Both stories are unique, since Croshaw fi nds ways to keep everything fresh by introducing new ideas throughout the story, all while making it flow. The memorable characters throughout the story are all distinct archetypes of everyday people: Travis, the protagonist and narrator, is the aimless loser that goes with whatever; Tim serves as the aloof, yet forceful everyman; and fi nally, there is Don, the disgruntled game programmer whose shoulder chips have chips on their shoulders. The best part of the book is all of the interactions and reactions among the characters and how each of them deals with having the continent of Australia smeared in sweet-smelling death. A big threat, which can’t be imagined, sets the stage as the story unfolds to reveal the secret of the ooze and how it came to be. But it’s always the people who don’t keep
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Neelly competed on the FOX show American Idol last year and will audition again this year.
IDOL
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a level head amid disaster who present the biggest threat. JAM features detailed, hilarious writing by Croshaw using metaphorical puns to describe different events or actions; like the near-human intelligence of a tarantula that really isn’t doing anything. The book also takes the cake in terms of writing out scenes of physical altercations among characters with good timing, specific descriptions and Croshaw’s special brand of metaphorical description. JAM contains some of the most entertaining writing imaginable but what’s apparent throughout the story is how the plot will occasionally slow itself down to set up bigger jokes. The book is defi nitely worth a read for people who enjoy a good survival story, but are tired of the same old formula of zombies and earthquakes.
contests or whatever else would give her an opportunity to get on stage and perform. “It’s better to take an opportunity than to miss it,” Neelly said. Last year, Neelly made her fi rst appearance on American Idol. She sang to some of the biggest names in the business, including singers Mariah Carey and Keith Urban, and was praised for her interpretation and unique style. “It’s nice to hear such a great song with a beautiful and talented singer,” Carey said of Neelly on an episode of the show. Keith Urban added similar praise for Neelly’s ability. “You just took it [the song] and made it your own,” Urban added. Neelly said she’s maintaining a positive attitude toward the upcoming auditions. She said she’s fond of the judges this year — Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban—
and looks forward to singing to them. Although she is very excited about the event, Neelly said she doesn’t worry too much about her performance. “If you’re prepared enough, there is nothing to be nervous about,” she said. Neelly said she dreams of recording albums and singing to huge crowds. She also said she would like to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Neelly said if her singing career does not work out that she would like to be a producer in Nashville. “If I’m not gonna be a star, I’m gonna be working with the stars,” Neelly said. Neelly said she believes her sincerity and outgoing personality are her main strengths. She said she admires Kelly Clarkson, and Patsy Cline. She also reveres Dolly Parton. “She is always herself, and that’s why people like her,” Neelly said of Parton, who wrote I Will Always Love You. When she is not singing or practicing, Neelly said she likes to run and enjoys staying fit. She also loves arts and crafts and being around kids.
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CONTINUED FROM B1 a selection of pictures of the cast as children, until the very end as the credits roll, you feel empathy for every character. As a fan you will come to grow with them. The fourth season concluded on Jan. 22, 2013, and on April 26, NBC renewed the series for a fifth season consisting of 22 episodes, which air Thursday nights begin Sept. 26. Jason Katims, creator of “Friday Night Lights,” developed the idea for the show from the 1989 film of the same name. Katims said he felt Parenthood the movie would transition well from film to television, and he couldn’t have been more right. Set in the San Francisco Bay Area, each branch of the family struggles with its own separate dramas and problems, which always fits under this larger family dynamic. Because of the ensemble cast, the show tends to focus on the turmoil within the Braverman family. The family’s eldest son Adam (Peter Krause) grapples with losing his job and starting a new business, his son Max who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, his wife Christina who has breast cancer, and his daughter Haddie who is across the country attending college. Sarah, played by Lauren Graham, is a divorcee and always seems to have some sort of trouble in her love life, even when it appears to be stable. Her daughter Amber has always had issues with authority and has similar problems as her mother in the love department and her son Drew always seems withdrawn. Next is Crosby (Dax Shepard) who seems to finally have his life on track after the shock of finding out he has a son. He struggles with leaving his bachelor status and eventually marries his child’s mother Jasmine (Joy Bryant). They have a son named Jabbar. Crosby is trying to make up for lost time with him because he was not a
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The four main Braverman siblings played by (from left) Dax Shepard, Lauren Graham, Erika Christensen, and Peter Krause.
part of his life for the first few years. Crosby also owns a recording studio with his brother Adam. The baby of the family, Julia (Erika Christensen), is a work-driven lawyer. Her biggest struggle is her infertility and inability to conceive with her husband Joel (Sam Jaeger). Together they have one biological daughter, Sydney and an adopted son, Victor.
“Parenthood” presses the boundaries of modern-day television. The struggles are real life problems that don’t always have an easy solution, making viewers question their emotions, beliefs, and morals. The Braverman family’s modern and edgy take on life makes it a show viewers of all backgrounds can relate to and enjoy.