NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 62
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
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The
Emmys
Read the WSN Arts team’s picks for some of the biggest categories at this year’s Emmy Awards on pages 6-7.
Baseball, softball will move on to D-III
McSilver receives grant for health app
By BRITTANY YU
NYU is planning to expand its sports program by adding both baseball and softball to its current list of varsity-level teams, director of athletics Christopher Bledsoe said. Beginning in fall 2014, the two programs will make the transition from intramural teams to NCAA Division III varsity sports. The move is part of a larger plan to merge the NYU Poly and NYU athletic programs under one banner. The funding for NYU varsity sports comes directly from the athletic department’s budget. The
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By RIKKI BRUKNER
ALYSSA VINZONS/WSN
Brooklyn rent prices spike in comparison to Manhattan Brooklyn rent prices are increasing at three times the rate of rent prices in Manhattan, according to a report by Douglas Elliman Real Estate. This could make apartment hunting more difficult for student budgets.
STORY ON PAGE 3
‘Daily Show’ producer, Tisch alum reflects on career By NIVEA SERRAO
Steve Bodow didn’t set out to become a comedy writer. But that’s exactly what the NYU alumnus does. Bodow, who graduated from NYU in 1995, is one of the executive producers of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” — a job that requires working closely with Stewart to produce his vision for the show and execute it effectively. “I’m one of the people up on [Stewart’s] executive staff to make sure the show runs the way he wants,” Bodow said in an exclusive interview with WSN, “in terms of what we’re saying, what we’re talking about, what we’re saying about it, how it looks and sounds and making sure we have the right combination of being funny and saying things that we believe.” Before taking on this role, Bodow served as “The Daily Show’s” head writer for four years. But he noted that not much change accompa-
nied his promotion in 2011. “It’s not that big a difference,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about what the writing staff is doing from moment to moment, and I can think a little bit more about the show overall.” This year, Bodow received two Emmy nominations, one for Outstanding Variety Series, the other for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, which are his 14th and 15th nominations since joining “The Daily Show” in 2002. Long before he started working for “The Daily Show,” Bodow served as the director of Elevator Repair Service, an experimental theater company. He also worked as a journalist, writing for a number of national publications, including The New York Times, New York Magazine and Salon.com. “I started as a music journalist,” Bodow said. “I was a big fan of music, and I started writing about it in college.”
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The McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research in the NYU Silver School of Social Work received a $699,735 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to create and implement a weband app-based support for mental health delivery within New York City child serving agencies. “The apps developed as a result of this grant will allow for a continued and enhanced delivery of services that will improve the lives of those in need of quality mental health care,” Deputy director of the McSilver Institute Gary
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NYU Divest kickoff reacts to Town Hall By NICOLE BROWN
A group of 40 students gathered in the basement of 239 Thompson St. for NYU Divest’s kickoff yesterday. The group’s mission is to convince the university to divest from fossil fuel companies. Tisch senior Blake Sugarman began the meeting by telling the 40 students present that he and NYU Divest believe climate change is not a future problem, but an issue of our time. “[Two degrees celsius] is the amount of warming we can afford before climate change gets out of control,” Sugarman said. “[565 gigatons] is the amount of carbon we can afford to put into
the atmosphere before we reach the 2 degrees celsius, and [2,795 gigatons] is the amount of carbon that is currently in the fossil fuel companies’ reserves.” He also said at the current rate of emission it will only take 13 years to put 565 gigatons of carbon in the atmosphere. Sugarman said these numbers come from the 2009 UN climate summit in Copenhagen and from the Carbon Tracker Initiative in the U.K. After presentations from other group leaders, the students at the meeting raised some questions for the group. One student brought up the response NYU President John Sexton
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
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LYANNE NATIVIDAD
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL Sunday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza In a world where books are losing prominence, Brooklyn, N.Y. is still a literary haven. The annual festival will hundreds of authors is free to the public. Catch some of the Bookend events today to get an idea of what Sunday’s festival has in store.
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ICONA POP + K.FLAY + SIRAH Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. | Webster Hall, 125 E. 11 St. For die-hard Icona Pop fans — or those who found the Swedish music duo through “Girls,” the group is playing at Webster Hall for $25. K.Flay and Sirah will also be performing.
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
RAQUEL WOODRUFF deputy opinion editors
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ADVERTISING photos via flickr.com | courtesy of atlantic records
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SNAPSHOT
CONEY ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m. through Sunday, Sept. 22, | Sideshows By the Seashore, 1208 Surf Ave. Along with their yearly screening of “The Warriors,” which will be screening on Saturday at 11 p.m., Coney Island always shows a variety of offbeat short and feature films. Films will also be shown Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
SALES MANAGER
ALISON LIZZIO
PROMOTIONS MANAGER
KALEEL MUNROE UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI COORDINATOR
CLAIRE MAHANY
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
ARIANA DIVALENTINO, ETHAN JACOBS, SAM WANDER
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY
TASTE WILLIAMSBURG GREENPOINT Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. | East River State Park, 90 Kent Ave. Enjoy the finest foods Brooklyn has to offer from favorites such as Delaney Barbecue, Pies ’n’ Thighs and DuMont. Tickets for four food tastes and two drink tastes cost $30 at the door, or purchase a ticket for eight food tastes and four drink tastes for $50.
Rocket to the Moon performs at the Sinclair in Cambridge, Mass. in late August.
PHOTO BY JOON LEE
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JAEWON KANG, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Jordan Melendrez at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Study shows Brooklyn rent rising, Manhattan rates plateau By CASSANDRA CASSILLAS
Brooklyn’s rental rates are rising and catching up to rates in Manhattan. A report released by Douglas Elliman Real Estate last week revealed that while Manhattan’s average rent price is 1.8 percent higher than that of August of last year, which marks a continuous trend of increase for 26 months in a row, Brooklyn’s rate grew almost three times as much, and is about 4.6 percent higher than it was around this time last year. Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of the Miller Samuel Appraisal Group and the author of the report, said one of the biggest reasons for rising rents in New York City, and nationwide, has been the tightness of mortgage lending since the 2008 financial crisis. “Renters who organically would have moved to the sales market are unable to qualify for a mortgage and are tipped back into the rental market, causing a log jam, so to speak,” Miller said. “Rental activity responds more quickly to improving employment than sales do.”
ALYSSA VINZONS/WSN
Brooklyn apartment rent rates are quickly rising to match similar units in Manhattan.
According to the Elliman report, Brooklyn saw a 166.3 percent increase in new rentals between August 2012 and July 2013, and apartments were on the market for three fewer days on average than in August of last year. Manhattan saw only a 44.9 percent increase in new rentals in the same period, which Miller said may be a matter of timing. “Brooklyn appears to be about a year behind Manhattan,” Miller said. “In other words, Manhattan reacted first and in the search for affordability, pushed more wouldbe renters to Brooklyn and Queens.” Self-labeled fourth generation Brooklynite and executive director of the Center for Real Estate Finance Research Edward Glickman said that Brooklyn rates in price-per-square foot still remain lower than Manhattan at the moment, but emphasized the value of a Brooklyn mailing address. “Thinking of Brooklyn as a single market hardly does it justice,” Glickman said. “The hot Brooklyn markets are close to the City, still offer far better value, not to mention, a better vibe and food to die for,” he said. Tisch junior Alex White said he, along with two roommates, pays $2,100 per month an apartment in Brooklyn. “[It’s] a real pothole studio apartment in Brooklyn Heights,” White said. “It’s crazy, if the prices go up I don’t know what I’ll do. $700 a month is a lot to sleep on a couch.” Meanwhile, Lauren Brandanz, a student in NYU’s graduate nursing program, said finding a decently priced rental is just about knowing the area. “I’ll get an apartment where I get a job,” Brandanz said. “I grew up in Brooklyn so I know places that’ll never be as expensive as Manhattan.” Miller said the current real estate climate means it’s difficult for NYU students looking for their first apartment to find an affordable rate. “I don’t expect much relief in sight,” Miller said. Cassandra Cassillas is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com
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McSilver Institute aspires to help families with health disorders
COURTESY OF NYU SILVER
Mary McKay is co-director of the McSilver Institute. Parker said. “McSilver is delighted to be on the forefront of this bold new frontier that will allow our researchers to create cutting edge mobile applications ensuring the highest level of care is available to everyone.” McSilver, in a partnership with Queens College, will be assisting with the app content, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will develop the technology over two years. The app uses mobile technology and assigns so-called homework, or activities and assignments for families to work on between group sessions. It also includes tips and reports. McSilver staff have been working to help children ages seven to 11 and their families with disruptive behavioral disorders for over 10 years. The institute developed a voluntary pro-
gram, which uses approximately six to eight families that typically meet for 60 minutes for 16 weeks, as a discussion-based therapy session. CAS sophomore Caroline Idrovo, who is studying psychology, said group sessions may help children feel less isolated. “They can work together in trying to find solutions to fix their problems,” Idrovo said. “I think it would be helpful because they can motivate each other and strive for progress together.” The 4Rs and 2Ss Approach is at the center of the program and stands for roles, responsibilities, respectful communication, relationships, stress management and social support. “The 4Rs and 2Ss intervention creates a social support for families within the group, something many of these families are lacking,” said Andrew Cleek, co-investigator of the project executive officer at the McSilver Institute. Cleek said the therapeutic intervention paired with the use of the app can result in improved relationships between family members and decrease child behavior problems outcomes. Co-investigator and director of the McSilver Institute Mary McKay said discovery of advantages using apps or technology may aid in mental health services. In a press release, McKay explained that this project provides an opportunity to use technology to benefit under-resourced public health. McSilver will become eligible for additional funding and continue improving the app if research shows the desired outcome. Rikki Brukner is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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NYU Divest kickoff attracts student leaders from surrounding universities
gave at the Town Hall Meeting yesterday to a question from NYU Divest about the university divesting from fossil fuel companies. Sexton said NYU allows its investors to allocate its endowment without knowing exactly where the funds go. Gallatin junior and founder of NYU Divest Sophie Lasoff responded that just because the university does not specifically choose stocks to invest in does not mean they don’t have control over where their investors put the endowment. “NYU is ultimately the client and NYU can decide
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NYU Divest aims to discourage the university’s investment in fossil fuels.
exactly how that money is managed,” Lasoff said. Still there is some discrepancy between the group and the university about whether divestment causes a loss in profits or can be effective. Another member of NYU Divest, 2012 graduate Belinda Rodriguez made the point that using other forms of energy is not as impossible as she once thought. “It would be a lot scarier if it wasn’t possible to switch, but I believe very strongly that it is possible,” Rodriguez said. Tisch junior Ian Tullis came to the kickoff meeting because he wanted to get involved in the NYU Divest movement. “Part of my reason for being here is so that I can learn more about this and then bring it to my friends and bring more attention and support,” Tullin said. Columbia junior Ryan Elivo was also at the meeting, as he is campaigning for divestment on Columbia’s campus and has been in communication with NYU’s group, as well as students at CUNY and the New School. “We have a really awesome city coalition,” Elivo said. “From there we have sort of built up a mini network, and we are really happy to be here supporting NYU Divest.” Nicole Brown is a news editor. Email her at nbrown@nyunews.com.
GRAPHIC BY MERYLL PREPOSI
UNDER THE ARCH: VOICES FROM NYU’S COMMUNITY WSN aims to bring NYU students the most important news at NYU, but with such a vast student body, there are countless stories to tell. Under the Arch is WSN’s new platform for literary journalists and readers interested in the stories of ordinary people. We strive to feature the dramas, comedies and complexities of our daily lives. The blog will feature a weekly theme that will document how we felt, and lived in a particular moment of NYU history. Visit wsnunderthearch.com to read our first series, centering around the new project’s namesake -- students’ reflections on the Washington Square Park arch.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Fans, team members reflect on history of Bobcat By NATHAN HO
A mountain of fur, a pair of gloves the size of dinner plates and a basketball jersey are laid upon the table. The distant roar from the gymnasium echoes through the hallway. To be roasting in an animal costume for seven hours is already no easy task. But to jump around, breakdance and do backflips? Welcome to the world of the NYU Bobcat team. NYU’s mascot was originally the Violet until 1984, when it was changed to its current incarnation, the Bobcat. Rumor within the mascot team has it that the switch was because of a bobcat Albert Gallatin had once rescued from a hunting trip. However, the most commonly acknowledged story for the NYU Bobcat’s origins was that the name was derived from Bobst Library’s catalog system, nicknamed BobCat. “What we want most out of an NYU Bobcat is determination and dedication,” the mascot team co-captain said, who wished to remain anonymous due to a confidentiality agreement they signed. Bobby the Bobcat shows up at all NYU basketball games, and will appear on request for
any other NYU sports competition, such as ice hockey or fencing. Outside of NYU athletics events, the Bobcat is up for hire. “The rate is around $25 per hour,” the cocaptain said. During events, a Bobcat has to lose its selfconsciousness as a student, and adopt the new persona. For some people, including the co-captain, this may be very liberating. As a Bobcat, she claimed to have dragged many audience members out of their seats during events. “Kids love to grab at our costumes … [and] drunk fans can sometimes show too much love,” the co-captain said. “They can be unaware of the fact that there is a person inside [the suit].” For such circumstances the team hosts many workshops to learn how to interact with kids and drunken fans. There are also separate workshops that help members learn culturally relevant dances, such as the dance for “Gangnam Style.” Being a mascot at NYU is a varsity sport and the team participates in many competitions outside of the school. “We try to simulate the conditions [in mas-
coting competitions] for our auditions,” the co-captain said. Students are given 90 seconds to create a skit with preset music score and props. “[We’ve had] a kid who was black belt in taekwondo, and did backflips and moves for his audition,” the co-captain said. For athletes on the NYU basketball team, the mascot is an invaluable part of the show. “The Bobcat is great,” CAS senior and NYU basketball forward Jedidiah Borovik said. “Regardless of the number of fans at our games, it’s hard not to get pumped up when a six foot tall cat is cheering you on.” Although back in history members of the NYU mascot team use to have part of their tuition paid, today’s Bobcats enjoy different perks. There are duffel bags, sweatshirts, iPods and watches distributed, as well as locker space offered to all team members. “My favorite perk would have to be that we get to chill at the Yankee Stadium VIP lounge and have breakfast before we mascot for graduation,” the co-captain said. Nathan Ho is a contributing writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com
FILE PHOTO BY JONATHAN TAN/WSN
The Bobcat replaced the Violet and became NYU’s mascot in 1984.
Institute of Fine Arts National Book Foundation honors showcases feminist artist creative writing professor By AZIZA INGRAM
By BHARGAVI GANESH
Lynda Benglis first made her appearance in the New York art scene in the 1960s when she challenged the ideas of masculine art and male artists. She rivaled the action paintings of Jackson Pollock by pouring unconventional materials such as latex and polyurethane in bright colors directly onto floors. The NYU Institute of Fine Arts’ Duke House is now showing a large collection of Benglis’ works, the first in a series of shows for The Great Hall Exhibitions, which will hold two shows per year of prominent contemporary artists. Jeffrey Uslip, curator of the show and doctoral candidate at IFA, said Benglis is an advocate for the feminist movement and has made bold statements in her artistic career. “This show is one that investigates feminism while also honoring longtime [IFA] faculty member, Linda Nochlin, and artistic tradition,” Uslip said. Benglis’ art is being shown in a four-piece exhibit in the lobby of IFA. The Duke House looks like any other building on the Upper East Side, but its interior is striking. A winding staircase cascades from the second floor as light streams down from the skylight. There is a wonderful tapestry on the massive wall behind the stairs, along with ornate molding and trim. The building is designed in a classic Greco-Roman style. This creates a wondrous backdrop for Benglis’ works — the juxtaposition of classical pieces and psychedelic ’60s minimal art is striking. “The uniqueness of the work truly shows in the space, and should be seen from an aerial view,” Robert
For the last 50 years, novelist and creative writing professor E.L. Doctorow has delighted the literary world with his unique works of fiction. In honor of his contributions, the National Book Foundation’s announced that Doctorow will receive their Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters on Sept. 5. He will be honored alongside fellow author, Maya Angelou, at the 64th National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner on Nov. 20. The National Book Foundation has awarded this medal every fall since 1988 to recognize “a person who has enriched our literary heritage over a life of service or a corpus of work.” “Doctorow is a master of historical fiction who has brought the events of the past to people all over the world in an extraordinary fashion,” the National Book Foundation’s executive director Harold Augenbraum said in a press release. “It is also a special opportunity to give tribute to a native New Yorker in his hometown.” In the past, Doctorow has received accolades awards from the National Book Awards, the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Book Critics Circle winner for novels such as “Ragtime,” “Book of Daniel,” “Billy Bathgate” and “The March.” He was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1989 and 2005. “It’s gratifying to be recognized by a fairly serious cultural project, the National Book Awards, which is meant to bring attention to works of literature,” Doctorow said. Two of his books, “Ragtime” and “Billy Bathgate,” were adapted into films, and “Ragtime” was adapted into a Broadway musical in 1998. The ideas for Doctorow’s works arise from images, phrases, sounds and sometimes even music. Pursuing these distinct, evocative sources of inspiration, Doctorow uses fiction writing to answer the questions that they pose. “When writing ‘Billy Bathgate’ the image that got me going was a boat sitting by the dock at night, on the New York harbor,” he said. “The men on the workboat were formally dressed, and I thought, ‘What are they doing there?’ And in order to find out, I wrote a book about it.”
COURTESY OF CHEIM & READ
Lynda Benglis’ art rivaled Jackson Pollack’s action paintings. Slifkin, an NYU assistant professor of fine arts, said. “It was a challenge putting the show in a hightraffic area but it had to be done in order to get rid of the frame.” Benglis’ installation in the lobby of IFA brings the feminist movement to the forefront and reminds viewers that the fight is not over. The pieces look quite strange at first glance, but resonate after further examination. “We are lucky to have the pieces and it is a privilege to see it everyday,” said IFA master student Sara Getto. The exhibit runs through Oct. 20. The Duke House is located at 1 East 78th St. It is open to NYU students daily and to the public on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Aziza Ingram is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Doctorow aims to achieve a balance between historical accuracy and imagination. When asked about how much research he does, he smiled and replied “just enough.” “I’m not trying to suggest this is easy,” he said when explaining his methodology for writing books. “Writing is hard.” Doctorow said reading is a vital part of becoming a novelist. As a professor at NYU, he tries to instill this idea in his students. “By listening to their work and reading, you give them courage, that this is not the craziest idea,” Doctorow said. “You show them that they’re not out of their minds. I always tell my students, if you want to write movies, go to the movies. If you want to write television, watch television. If you want to write novels, and stories, you have to read.” Brian Morton, a novelist and director of the writing program at Sarah Lawrence University, had Doctorow as a professor when he was an undergraduate student. “He made scruffy undergraduates like me feel as if our writing was as important as his,” Morton said. Bhargavi Ganesh is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.COM
Doctorow will receive the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
EDITED BY JEREMY GROSSMAN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Rockwell sheds persona in ‘Shot’
COURTESY OF TRIBECA FILM
By ZACK GRULLON What prevents Sam Rockwell from being a throwaway character actor is his occasional ventures into more complex dramatic roles. While “A Single Shot” may not be up to par with his most complicated work, Rockwell nevertheless gives a committed performance in this cat-and-mouse thriller set in the backwoods of West Virginia. Rockwell plays John Moon, who, after losing his job on a farm, spends his days drinking and hunting in squalor. His wife and son do not live with him, and despite a pending divorce, Moon is determined to win them back. One day, he goes out hunting in illegal territory and finds a deer. He tries to shoot it, and not only misses his target, but also discovers that the buckshot found its way to a nearby girl, killing her instantly. Moon carries the girl to her trailer, placing her in bed in an attempt to disguise her death as a suicide. Along the way, he discovers a case filled with thousands of dollars in her bed and unwisely takes it, not knowing it belongs to a group of criminals. With that premise, the influence of famed neo-noir directors Joel and Ethan Coen smothers the film. Director David Rosenthal makes one contrived technical achievement after another, and while the West Virginia setting makes for some gorgeous cinematography, Rosenthal too frequently relies on tropes of noir films, like the sound of screeching violins to suggest tension. Rosenthal has also assembled a strong cast of talented actors, but he misdirects too many of them. Jeffrey Wright and William H. Macy, two talented actors, mumble lines as if they forgot what they were supposed to say. Luckily, the film mostly centers on Rockwell, who completely embodies his character’s sadness and moral quandary throughout the film. Rosenthal is more successful with establishing tension. This is a film where a gunshot becomes a well-executed jump scare. Even watching two people talking can be tense, due to the unsafe atmosphere surrounding these characters. The paranoia works because Moon does not know who is coming after him and begins to question people close to him, even if they are not guilty. Unfortunately, those well-crafted scenes of tension are punctuated by dull philosophical discussions between characters incongruous to the larger narrative. “Shot” is not completely a waste, because even if its inspirations are too obvious, there has not been a catand-mouse thriller of its kind in years. The problem is, the film is just too uneven to truly sustain itself, from its strong cast and beautiful cinematography to its overblown direction. “A Single Shot” could have even been an Oscar contender like the films it wants to imitate, but as it stands, it serves as slightly betterthan-average entertainment. Zack Grullon is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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ARTS Performances from Gandolfini, Louis-Dreyfus deliver ‘Enough’ charm By ISABEL JONES
In its elemental form, the plot is uninspired, but paired with great talent and unconventional characters, “Enough Said” — one of the final film roles of James Gandolfini — is able to soar. After a few promising dates with Albert (Gandolfini), Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a freelance masseuse, discovers her new friend and client Marianne (Catherine Keener) is Albert’s ex-wife. To make matters worse, Marianne constantly complains about her ex-husband, from his weight to his guacamole-eating habits. Toni Collette also joins this wonderful cast, as the sassy and unhappily married gal pal, Sarah. While Collette is wonderful as always and even impressively breaks out her native Australian accent, her character fails to live up to the others and is a disappointingly stock character. Collette’s role is just a minor example of how the movie takes something great and turns it into something average. Along with Collette’s useless role, “Said” veers away from quality in other respects. The dialogue has a unique tendency to shift from clever to clunky — a few unnecessary lines are delivered at the expense of an overly saccharine moment. And as expected, the comedyreared Louis-Dreyfus falters when she is
required to deliver a toned-down performance. But therein lies the beauty of the film — its stark imperfection. Complementing “Said’s” inconsistencies are its older, less glamorous lead characters. For example, Louis-Dreyfus dons a hideous parachute-pants/momjeans hybrid outfit in one of the final scenes. Even though Louis-Dreyfus and Gandolfini often deliver the same clichés romantic comedies are replete with, they still manage to come off as genuine. Although Eva and Albert constantly poke fun at being middle-aged, the characters feel youthful and optimistic. Divorced characters are often cast aside and considered damaged goods or cynics, especially when they have collegeaged children. “Said” instead presents its protagonists as two lovestruck teens, riding the euphoric wave of their own electric banter. It’s difficult not to be swept up in their romance. The late Gandolfini particularly shines in “Said,” offering a subdued performance for the man who has come to be known as America’s favorite mobster. Like Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight,” it is a role that makes the viewer weep for a career cut too short. While “Said” has its faults, Gandolfini epitomizes perfection. His intimidating stature was part of why he was so effective as a mob boss, but “Said” is a testament to his tal-
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‘Daily Show’ executive producer discusses Emmy nomination
Eventually writing about music gave way to writing about culture, then business and technology. “Before I knew it, I was a real journalist, writing for actual magazines and newspapers,” he said. His diverse interests led him to NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, a graduate program exploring alternative media offered at the Tisch School of the Arts. “It seemed like ‘Oh, this is going to be a very interesting area for somebody like me, who likes to try new things and likes writing and producing things,’” Bodow said of the program. “I thought it would be fun to get to know new technology from a creative standpoint.” After graduating from Tisch, Bodow heard about an opening on “The Daily Show,” which Stewart had only been hosting for a couple of years. Bodow applied, was offered the job and has been working there ever since. Bodow’s words of encouragement for aspiring comedy writers and journalists involves a desire for creative enrichment, an asset that has
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The two leads of “Enough Said” help elevate the film’s material. ent and versatility as an actor. He moves completely away from his more wellknown on-screen persona and creates a completely lovable character. Despite its issues, “Enough Said” is a thoroughly entertaining film. It is wonderful to see Louis-Dreyfus and Gandolfini, two often-typecast actors, break from audiences’ expectations and, better yet, to see the love found later in life to be treated so respectfully. Gandolfini alone is worth the price of admission. Isabel Jones is entertainment editor. Email her at ijones@nyunews.com.
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MGMT EXPERIMENTS, ENTRANCES ON SELF-TITLED ALBUM On their self-titled album, MGMT plays around with the group’s sound, and while it lacks clarity, the inventive nature is worth a listen.
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Steve Bodow has worked for “The Daily Show” since 2002. proven useful throughout Bodow’s career. “If you want to do it, just make sure you’re doing it,” he said. “Find an audience to do it [for], and find people it’s fun to do it with.” Nivea Serrao is a contributing writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.
‘AFTER TILLER’ DOCUMENTARY EXAMINES CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC IN NEW LIGHT Abortion has remained a severely debated topic for years, but the documentary “After Tiller” seeks to offer a more humanistic take. LISTEN TO THE ARTS PODCAST Join a panel of WSN arts editors and writers each week as they discuss the latest news in the arts and entertainment world. This week, listen as they discuss the Emmy Awards.
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ARTS OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES With “30 Rock” in its last season and “Arrested Development” making a massively successful comeback, there’s no shortage of talent in the pool of nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Matt LeBlanc’s performance in “Episodes” hasn’t garnered much hype, and “House of Lies” star Don Cheadle — despite his star appeal and Golden Globe win — is a relative newcomer to a category of established, multiseason shows. “Louie” is the dark horse of the bunch, but Louis C.K. fully deserves all the recognition he’s been receiving as of late. Jim Parsons has two Emmys under his belt for “The Big Bang Theory” already, but as a final nod to the wildly popular and well-acted show, this year’s winner will likely be Alec Baldwin for “30 Rock.”
The
Emm photos via Entertainment Weekly | courtesy of NBC
ALEC BALDWIN
– Olivia Ellis
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES If it’s a question of who should win, look no further than Bryan Cranston as Walter White in “Breaking Bad.” Undoubtedly one of the greatest performances in television history, Cranston is still keeping his captivated audience at the edge of their seat. With three Emmys already under his belt, however, the momentum from last season of “Breaking Bad” probably won’t be enough to give Cranston another, no matter how deserving. In terms of which actor has the highest chance of win-
ning, it’s a tie between Jon Hamm as Don Draper in “Mad Men,” and Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood in “House of Cards.” Hamm has been nominated every year since 2008, without a win, but with “Mad Men” coming up on its final season, the voters might show some pity. This category, however, might lean in Spacey’s favor simply because the Emmy voters are suckers for well-renowned film actors. – Alex Mujica
Photos courtesy of Showtime | via AP
photos courtesy of NYU | via The Daily Telegraph | courtesy of AMC
KEVIN SPACEY
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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EDITED BY JEREMY GROSSMAN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Outstanding Comedy 30 ROCK
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
mys While “Modern Family” might take home its fourth Emmy in a row, the other nominees are just strong enough to create an upset. Lena Dunham’s “Girls” is carrying momentum from its Golden Globes win and “Louie” is a popular newcomer to this category. Realistically, the award will probably go to “30 Rock” for closing out its run with a fantastic final season, which is rare for a show in its
last year. Viewers saw characters both old and new say goodbye to a show that always embraced the weirdness of its world, all while keeping them constantly “lizzing.” Surely the Emmy voters will want to award that, as well as give a final piece of recognition to one of their favorites of the past decade. – Connor D. Wright
The contenders in Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series face stiff competition from Tina Fey, in her final run as Liz Lemon. The competition is made even more difficult with the category’s line of cable stars, including Lena Dunham, Laura Dern and Edie Falco. However, the real race is between Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Amy Poehler. Louis-Dreyfus is in good standing, as she won the award last year, but Poehler and "Parks and
Recreation" are long overdue for some Emmy love. LouisDreyfus' performance is on par with Poehler's, but fails to evoke anything from the actress fans have not already come to expect. Poehler, on the other hand, still keeps things fresh as Pawnee’s most enthusiastic resident, and voters would be lying if they said they did not shed a tear during last season’s wedding episode. – Marcus Jones
AMY POEHLER
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
photos via WireImage | via hairstylesweekly.com
Outstanding BREAKING Drama BAD Six dramas enter, one remains. Which show will take home the top prize? For starters, the common consensus has been that the second season of “Homeland” wasn’t as good as the first, so its chances of winning aren’t great. The same goes for “Mad Men,” which hit a bit of a rough patch after earning less nominations categories than in previous years,
and “Downton Abbey,” which at this point seems to get nominated just for the sake of getting nominated. The race is truly between “Breaking Bad” and “Game of Thrones.” The former is easily the strongest of the bunch — and will likely take the prize — but don’t be surprised if the latter comes along and sweeps voters off their feet. Of course, this year
CLAIRE DANES
there’s a dark horse in the form of “House of Cards.” As a series created exclusively for Netflix that’s received a near-endless amount of buzz, “Cards” could possibly surprise viewers on Sunday night. – Jeremy Pick
While there are some returning favorites like Claire Danes for "Homeland" and Elisabeth Moss for "Mad Men," the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series also includes two firsttimers who are making waves. Robin Wright in "House of Cards" is the first actress nominated for a series that aired exclusively online, and Kerry Washington in "Scandal" is the first black actress to be nominated for an Emmy in this category since Cicely Tyson in 1995, and if she wins, she’ll be the first ever to do so. While "Scandal" is certainly a fan favorite, it seems unlikely that Washington will beat the powerhouse and awards-magnet that is Danes on "Homeland." If anyone were to upset, it could be Vera Farmiga, who has received praise for her wonderfully strange and mysterious work on "Bates Motel.” Of course, for all the "Mad Men" fans out there, don’t sleep on Elisabeth Moss, who had a great season. – Ife Olujobi
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SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
VARSITY continued from PG. 1
Baseball, softball set to shift from club sports to Division III play next fall
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intramural baseball and softball teams currently rely on this budget for expenses such as transportation to and from games as well as renting spaces to practice and play. The varsity teams will still lease, permit and borrow both public and private sports and recreation facilities in the tri-state area. They will also continue to take full advantage of athletic facilities in Brooklyn and Manhattan that are owned and operated by the university. “It’s nice that NYU is working on its sports programs but I’m not sure if varsity baseball and softball will garner enough interest with students,” Steinhardt junior Katherine Shaoul said. However, Bledsoe believes the existing club and varsity teams will build a healthy base of players for their Division III counterparts next fall. “NYU Poly already has varsity baseball and softball teams [and] NYU already has intercollegiate club baseball and softball teams,” Bledsoe said. “We believe people on those teams will want to try out. In addition, we expect to have classes of recruited freshman and new students.” The athletics department is currently looking for a location for a convenient location for both teams to play. “We are going through exactly the same process that we use for [all our sports],” Bledsoe said. “We identify the best quality field, located proximate to our campus … and are available to lease.” CAS junior Sagar Gambhir said varsity sports are important for building a sense of community among students. “Students going to NYU have been deprived of a conventional feel of togetherness under a team banner,” he said. NYU is waiving its current prohibition on simul-
taneously funding varsity and club sports through 2016, so that the baseball and softball teams can continue to exist the next two and a half years if there is enough student interest, Bledsoe said. NYU Junior Caitlin Ryan, a current player on the club softball team, said she hoped NYU would keep the club team. “I think it’s cool that there is going to be a varsity softball team,” she said. “It would be nice to still be able to play competitively without the intensity or pressure of a varsity sport.” Brittany Yu is a contributing writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
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NYU only offers club baseball and softball teams but will introduce varsity teams in the fall.
Men’s soccer defeats Hunter 3-1, leads throughout game
By WILLOW FREDERICK
High pressure and quick passes set the scene for the attack in the first half of the NYU men’s soccer match against city rival Hunter College Hawks on Wednesday night. Sophomore defender Robin Smith and senior midfielder Ian Cassell were a constant threat down the left side of the pitch as the Violets took it to the Hawks offensively. With the help of several midfielders, the Violets created a few chances close range, but were met by some great saves by the Hunter goalkeeper Emmanuel Aprilakis, who made six saves. The Violets held possession for more than the majority of the first 45 minutes, but the game remained scoreless. At the 48th minute, junior midfielder Nimo Bergstroem capitalized on a mix-up among Hunter’s back line to put the Violets ahead. Then in the 58th minute, a shallow cross matched with sophomore striker Sean McNitt-Gray’s powered half-volley inside the box put the Violets ahead 2-0. The intensity continued when several passes around the 63rd minute left McNitt-Gray running down the seam again with a composed finish to the opposite low corner. Senior midfielder Colm Dillane
was a standout with his footwork and a consistent creator of chances. The match ended with a Hunter goal off of a penalty kick. Despite an impressive save by freshman goalkeeper Lucas Doucette, the Hawks put the rebound away. Even though the Violets dominated the game, they were unable to maintain a home shutout, and the score ended at 3-1. “After we settled into the game in the second half we seemed much more comfortable going forward,” McNitt-Gray said. “We began to combine well in front of the goal and we were able to create a few chances.” “Both of my goals were team goals,” he said. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and I was able to stay composed in front of the goal and put the ball in the net.” Head coach Joe Behan was pleased with the opportunity to get multiple players in the game, proving “how the young players have been improving,” which should be crucial for the team as the season continues and for future seasons. McNitt-Gray was also pleased with the team’s performance and their ability to bounce back after their first loss of the season. “After a disappointing loss to Stevens, winning against Hunter was
COURTESY OF NYU ATHLETICS
Midfielder Colm Dillane sets up the ball to pass to a teammate. a big step in the right direction,” McNitt-Gray said. “We were able to get our minds right and come out and get a good result. It was a true team effort tonight.” The Violets will return to competitive play on Tuesday, Sept. 24 against the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The men’s soccer Alumni Match will take place Saturday, Sept. 21 at Gaelic Park in the Bronx. Willow Frederick is a contributing writer. Email her at sports@ nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS
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Midnight” singer, 1957 4 Act opener 5 Bar offerings 6 Chew (on) 7 Nixed 8 Let float from the dollar, say 9 Suddenly took interest in 10 Take in 11 Like some humor 13 Seals’s partner in 1970s music 14 Dense desserts 20 Main line 21 View from Vatican City 22 Washed up 23 Like Timbuktu 24 Star 28 Money in the bank, e.g. 30 Trendy “superfood”
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OPINION
EDITED BY RAQUEL WOODRUFF OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
POLITICS
Bill de Blasio reclaims OWS message By RAJ MATHUR
It has been two years since protesters first gathered in downtown Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park, sparking a movement that spread across the nation and engendered a long overdue discussion about income inequality. However, Occupy Wall Street faded from America’s political landscape almost as quickly as it emerged, at least in part due to the movement’s refusal to elect leaders or provide a specific set of demands. Bill de Blasio, now the Democratic nominee for the mayoral race, has successfully seized the mantle of the movement — a positive development not just for the defunct OWS but also for New York City. De Blasio has centered his campaign around a narrative of New York as a tale of two cities — a divided urban center in which the very wealthy, or the 1 percent, earn 44 percent of the city’s income while the working and middle classes, or the 99 percent, struggle with unemployment and lack of affordable housing. Income inequality is not in and of itself an issue that requires remedying.
Inequality becomes untenable, however, when individuals do not have the opportunity to leave the working class and enter a prosperous class. Education is central to mobility, and de Blasio has successfully channeled OWS’s ideas in his proposals regarding the issue. The nominee has argued for increasing the city’s income tax by slightly over .5 percent for those earning over $500,000, which would generate enough revenue to provide not just universal preK education but also after-school programs for all middle school students. Early education has been proven to succeed in multiple areas. A study of Chicago public schools found that every dollar invested in preschool education returned $11 to society over a student’s lifetime. Perhaps even more important is
how it better prepares young children for elementary school, providing a head start that affluent children are likely to already have. Even coupled with de Blasio’s other proposals like decreasing class sizes, however, these programs will not provide a panacea to New York’s education problems. Nonetheless, de Blasio has shown the political courage to bridge the gap between the two New Yorks by using inequality to engender mobility, and should be applauded. America’s lagging educational system is perhaps the best embodiment of the nation’s failure to meet its own creed of equality opportunity. As shown in the sharp differences in retention and graduation rates between private and public schools, New York City’s system magnifies its inequalities. De Blasio’s proposals, rooted in the still pervasive beliefs of an inoperative movement, represent a step in the right direction for both OWS and New York City. Raj Mathur is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
HEALTH
Weight-loss programs require more positivity By JOHN SANTUCCI III
The methods to combat childhood obesity are incredibly diverse. The NFLsponsored Play 60 campaign encourages children to be active for at least 60 minutes every day. Other campaigns have a harsher tough-love approach, such as Georgia’s Strong4Life ads. These ads received widespread attention a few years ago — the ads ran with slogans, including “Being fat takes the fun out of being a kid” and “Big bones didn’t make me this way, big meals did.” These hard-hitting slogans are examples of what is now an established fat-shaming regiment — a disgusting approach to encouraging weight loss. To deny fat-shaming and weight discrimination’s existence would be to look past a handful of newsworthy instances this past summer. For example, the Boy Scouts denied children with a BMI over 40 from participating in one of their largest trips. A chef was denied a visa to New Zealand because of his weight. A woman was asked to leave a waterpark because her bathing suit was too small for her size. Borgata Casino waitresses sued their employer because they were barred from having more than 7 percent body mass. And a University of New Mexico professor’s tweet suggested
SUBMITTING TO
that overweight individuals would have trouble completing their doctoral based on their lack of willpower to control their weight. A recent study that observed over 6,000 overweight adults over age 50 rejected this methodology. Results concluded that individuals, who are already overweight and were the victims of fat-shaming and other discrimination, are more than twice as likely to be obese at their next scheduled weigh-in. Obese adults who were victimized were more than three times as likely to remain obese at their next check-in. Furthermore, other statistical surveys concluded that the 5 percent of children in the United States with a BMI 20 percent higher than the 95th percentile are in increased danger of serious disease or early death. If adults cannot digest negative reinforcement methods, how should we expect children in this atmosphere to survive?
There must be a less disgraceful way to control eating disorders not based on frustration, but have a concrete plan instead. It is known that children do not respond to negative reinforcement and evidently, neither do adults. Children must be treated accordingly, which includes constant encouragement. Should a 10-yearold be expected to monitor his diet, exercise and be healthy on his own? Should he be expected to make such a drastic life change after being told he is fat? These are unreasonable expectations of children. Media campaigns should encourage children who are overweight to participate in, rather than avoid, activities. Once children realize participation can be enjoyable, they might find this as an incentive to be more active. This is only the first component. Fat-shaming must also be diminished, as its effects overshadow any positive initiatives. Obesity is a dangerous condition with serious health ramifications. However, constant ridicule will not solve the problem — unfortunately it has taken until now for this to be proven. John Santucci III is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Public should question government’s access to data
In response to the revelations about the NSA surveillance program, the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court on Tuesday finally offered an explanation for allowing the NSA to keep records of all Americans’ phone calls. Judge Claire Eagan declared the program lawful, stating that any efforts to remove it would have to be political in nature, not legal. The rationale behind the FISC’s opinion, as Eagan articulated, is grounded on the legal precedent of Smith v. Maryland. In the controversial 1979 verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that seizing a pen register, an electronic gadget that records telephone numbers, did not constitute a search that required a warrant to comply with the Fourth Amendment. Former Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun denied that searching a pen register equated to a constitutional violation of privacy rights, a repudiation that supports Eagan’s contentious notion that modern phone data collection is legally justified. This shaky legal justification is worrisome because of the potential abuse of such data collection it could entail. In an interview given after fleeing Hong Kong, Edward Snowden explained how he feels to be the primary danger behind the mass collection of phone data — namely, that any person can be made to look like a criminal to the untrained eye. A common response to the NSA program is to say, “They won’t be spying on me, why should I care?” But having this record allows those with access to retroactively spy on people and tarnish their reputation. Despite the legal justification for the NSA programs, the question that remains neglected is the legality of this secret court itself. The existence of such a court is, by definition, opaque and protects itself from criticism. As the public continues to learn about the extent of the NSA spying program, and the other parts of the apparatus that have been created to support it — like the secret courts — it becomes clearer that the potential for abuse is vast even without intent. There is a serious lack of oversight on these programs, and there is no way of knowing what exactly could be done with this data because even the government does not know exactly who has access to the data, or what they have been doing with the information. Even if one believes in the constitutionality and necessity of these programs — two beliefs that require a lot of faith in our government — one still must be worried by the ease with which the data can be accessed and abused by even lowlevel administrators.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Raquel Woodruff (Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co-chair), Peter Keffer (Co-Chair).
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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