Mary Geanelli Bernardo, Author at The Western Howl

By: Matthew Oldfield
Freelancer

People all long for the shows from their childhood. Shows like “Full House”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Wizards of Waverly Place”, “That’s So Raven” and “CHiPs” are just a few of the shows from over five years ago with released or upcoming reboots.

Reunion and revivals have aren’t a new concept in the realm of TV, but are always risky with the ever-burning question, “Will this get views?” echoing in producers’ minds. Now that the internet has given voices to people that clamor for reunions and revival, producers can test the waters with news about former cast members getting together for a reunion, or something new.

Netflix has entered the realm of reboots with its revivals of “Full House” and “Gilmore Girls.” Both were met with mixed reviews from critics but positive feedback from viewers watching for nostalgia. With the viewer’s input, these shows are seeing some form of longevity in potential for renewed seasons.

After Netflix’s success, Disney’s notice of fan demanded revivals was something they didn’t ignore. Originally giving “Boy Meets World” it’s revival in “Girl Meets World”, now seeing to the reunion, confirmed by Selena Gomez, of “Wizards of Waverly Place” and confirmation by Raven Symone that a “That So Raven” revival is in the works with Disney. Fans of both shows are eagerly awaiting the revival and reunion of these shows.

Movies aren’t excluded from TV revivals. Though movies only provide a one time story for old TV shows, they could help spark potential interest in audience’s reactions on bringing them back for a sequel, much like the fame of “21 Jump Street” and the sequel “22 Jump Street”.

The newest TV revival movie comes in the form of “CHiPs,” a 1970 TV show about California highway patrol officers. The new movie will have Oregon’s own Dax Shepard in the director’s chair.

Revival TV has become a trend within the past decade and could bring more old shows to a younger audience who might not have heard about them. With Netflix and Disney taking interest in the revival movement, more companies might take the same route in bringing back shows from their network history. With any luck, some fan favorite shows from childhood might come back to TV one more time.

Contact the author at moldfield14@wou.edu

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Baseball old timers make hall of fame

By: TK Layman
Staff Writer

The MLB Hall of Fame inducts the best players from years past, enshrining them forever as baseball’s greatest of all time.

For a player to be elected to the Hall of Fame, they must receive 75 percent of the total votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America. Many big-ticket players have made it in, such
as George Herman “Babe” Ruth and Hank Aaron. In recent years we have seen names like Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. inducted.

The hall of fame class of 2017 saw three players and two MLB executives.

Jeff Bagwell, who played all 15 years of his career with the Houston Astros, made it in after his seventh year being on the ballot. Known for his wide squatting stance, he ended with a career .297 batting average and 449 home runs.

Signed by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round in the 1989 amateur draft, Bagwell made his Major League debut with the Houston Astros in 1991. During his tenure with the Astros he saw six postseason appearances, winning the National League pennant in 2005, but getting swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series. Among his playing career he racked up four All-Star Game appearances, three Silver Sluggers, the 1991 Rookie of the Year, the 1994 NL MVP, Gold Glove and Player of the Year.

His hall of fame bid saw some controversy with allegations of steroid use, that were ultimately unsubstantiated.

Tim Raines, a 23-year veteran of the MLB also saw induction after his 10th year being on the ballot. Making his breakthrough with the late Montreal Expos at 19, Raines .294 career average and a modest 170 home runs. Though he was not known for his power, he was a master on the bases with a .385 on-base percentage and 808 career stolen bases.

With 34 Postseason appearances, along with a World Series win in 1996, the seasoned outfielder saw seven All-Star games, winning the All-Star MVP in 1987 and the 1986 Silver Slugger and NL Batting Title
Ivan Rodriguez was the third player inducted to the class of 2017. After retiring in 2011 with the Washington Nationals, he became eligible for the vote this year, winning 76 percent of the vote on his first ballot. As Rodriguez wrote in a brief memoir on Player’s Tribune, he signed with the Texas Rangers at 16 years old and in 1991, at age 19, he made his debut. Amassing a career .296 average, 311 home runs and 2844 hits, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez made a name for himself as the second catcher to make it into the hall on his first ballot with 14 All-Star appearances, 13 Gold Glove awards, winning ten years in a row starting with his rookie year 1991, a seven-time Silver Slugger, winner of the 1999 MVP and 2003 NLCS MVP. Rodriguez made a career to remember as a great defensive catcher.

Along with the three players, John Schuerholz, Vice-President of the Atlanta Braves, and Allan H. “Bud” Selig, former MLB Commissioner, were also placed as MLB Executives.

Following the World Baseball Classic in March, the MLB regular season starts up April 2.

Contact the author at tlayman16@mail.wou.edu

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National Women’s March takes Salem

By: Stephanie Blair
Editor-in-Chief

On Jan. 21, protesters around the world gathered in major cities to join in sister marches of the Women’s March on Washington. Despite the thunderstorm warning, approximately 4,200 people gathered across the street from the capitol steps to join the Salem Women’s March. Men, women, children and dogs filled the crowd holding up nearly as many signs as umbrellas.

An hour long rally was held before the mile-long march began. Speakers, such as Gov. Kate Brown and Salem city councilor Cara Kaser, advocated to the crowd about LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights and health care reform, as well as other women’s issues.

Though the Portland march lost attendance due to racial tensions and a dropped NAACP endorsement, the Salem march’s numbers were bolstered by hiring ASL interpreters for the rally and choosing a level march route.

Those in attendance ranged in age; some marchers were unable to walk because they had yet to learn how, while others were restricted to wheelchairs in their old age. At the front of the rally, one such woman held a sign which read, “Proud to be 94 and ‘nasty.’”

Haley Morris, a junior psychology major, was also in attendance. When asked why she chose to march, Morris replied, “I think it’s extremely important as the “building block” generation to be involved in the national and global conversation, especially on topics of injustice and inequality.”

Many signs at the event held messages such as, “Hate has no home here,” “Hear our voice” and “We must be vigilant, not vigilantes,” which held to the goal of the march as set by the organizers. On the Facebook event page organizers stated that, while signs were welcome, no hate speech would be permitted.

Political commentary and satirical caricatures, however, were rampant in the crowd’s signs. Some held fairly general statements, for example, “It’s not about politically correct, it’s about mutual respect.” Others were more pointed towards President Donald Trump, with signs reading, “Keep your tiny hands off my healthcare!” and “Make America think again.”

Similarly, the crowd was smattered with pink: eared hats referred to as “pussy hats” and signs that read “this pussy grabs back” in response to the president’s comment made in 2005.

“For me personally, I went to the march with less of an anti-Trump sentiment and more of a pro-people and pro-rights standpoint,” said Morris. “You can argue about who you think is the best leader, but you can’t argue over someone’s human rights.”

The event was coordinated with the Salem Police Department and was entirely peaceful; no arrests and no property damage occurred.

“All in all, I think the march went great. Almost double the number of people expected to come showed up and marched and cheered and danced in the cold and the pouring rain,” said Morris. “I think we accomplished our mission to peacefully but assertively stand together in solidarity to show our leaders and the world that we will not back down or remain voiceless in times of uncertainty and fear.”

Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu

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Inclusion on campus

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Western is known for having a wide variety of opportunities for its students’ education, but it also has a wide variety of opportunities for its students’ hobbies and interests. A student club organization fair was held in the Werner University Center on Jan. 19 to showcase some of the clubs that are on campus who are looking for new members. Katherine Macias-Torres, a sophomore nursing major, ran the booth for the Multicultural Student Union.
“I think it’s important to have these fairs, because it helps the students to know what’s available on campus, it helps students to kind of branch out of their comfort zones,” said Macias-Torres. “Clubs like MSU help to promote diversity, but it’s also a safe zone, it’s inclusion.”
If you’re interested in joining a club but aren’t sure what clubs are available on campus, visit Western’s website and click on “Student Life” and then “Clubs and Organizations” to browse what Western has to offer. The clubs listed below are some of the organizations offered:

Multicultural Student Union Student Media
Catholic Campus Ministry Model United Nations
College Republicans Anthropology Club
Black Student Union Men’s Rugby
Rock Climbing Club WOU Student Veterans of America
Green Dot Plus Team
African Students and Friends Association
Lions Club
Dance Team
CRU
KWOU Student Radio
Student Activities Board
Western Compass
Resident Hall Association
Byte Club
Men’s Lacrosse
Art and Design Club

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

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A timeless oath and an American tradition

By: Alyssa James
Staff Writer

With his right hand in the air and his left hand on two Bibles, President-elect Donald Trump proclaimed the oath that swore him into office on the Jan. 20: “I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”

Soon after he went to the podium and gave his inauguration speech promising to put “America first.” As he started his speech, President Trump stated with a spirit of perseverance, “We will face challenges. We will confront hardships, but we will get the job done.”

As he thanked President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their grace through the transitioning of presidents, he also addressed the state that Washington D.C. is in compared to that of the people.

According to the New York Times, President Trump expressed that “Washington flourished” but the United States citizens had no part in acquiring any of that wealth. He further made the point that, through this transition of presidency, it does not matter which party controls the government but that the power is put in the hands of the people of the United States.

President Trump asserted that the citizens of America will never be forgotten, and that our “… nation exists to serve its citizens.” He discussed some of the tragic realities that people live with day in and day out, promising to work to stop it. His tone was hopeful and ambitious when voicing the unity he wants for the American people: “We are one nation, and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams, and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny. The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans.”

Much of his speech used the same rhetoric about the concerns he had discussed throughout his campaign. With his use of pathos and patriotic themes throughout, he received many cheers and applause from the crowd that gathered to see him speak.

It’s important to not neglect to vote in local, state and federal elections in order to have your voice heard under the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump.

Contact the author at ajames16@mail.wou.edu

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Review: “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

By: Ashton Newton
Entertainment Editor

For a show that constantly warns you not to watch it, Netflix’s adaptation of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is hard to put down once you start. The eight-episode first season, streaming now, adapts the first four books in Lemony Snicket’s dark children’s book series.

The show centers around three orphans who are moved from guardian to guardian after losing their parents in a fire. All the while, a villainous man named Count Olaf is a few steps behind them in an attempt to steal their fortune.

Despite being family advertised and oriented, “Series of Unfortunate Events” is an extremely dark show, though, admittedly, with frequent comic themes. The show often reminds viewers that they are dealing with some extremely dark and sad ideas.

With Neil Patrick Harris’ comedic and whimsical performance as Count Olaf, it’s easy to forget how dark the material really is and it’s almost uncomfortable when something extremely dark happens because of how lighthearted the show feels at times.

That’s not to say that the show isn’t family friendly though, the three children frequently use science, reading and puzzle-solving to figure out mysteries. With their teamwork and cleverness, the three children are great role models.

The show begins with the first two episodes adapting the first book “The Bad Beginning.” The premiere episode serves as a fantastic introduction to all the main characters and some notable side characters.

The Baudelaire orphans, played by Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes and Presley Smith, are relatable and lovable from the first episode. Count Olaf on the other hand, is the show’s weakest link.

In his many disguises, Count Olaf feels more like Neil Patrick Harris than the character he’s playing. In chapter two, “The Reptile Room,” Count Olaf disguises himself as a lab assistant but he seems nothing like Count Olaf underneath. Harris’ performance does a bad job of bringing Count Olaf to life, especially in disguise.

The supporting cast is absolutely fantastic. Count Olaf’s troupe of henchmen provide excellent comic relief and Mr. Poe’s lovable obliviousness was enjoyably frustrating.

Another highlight of the show was the quirky art style. The show’s art style boasts strong colors, retro settings and unconventional camerawork that give it the feel of a Wes Anderson film. The cinematography does a great job translating the illustrations of the novels to the screen.

Giving two hours per book allows the show to follow the books much closer. Small conversations between characters are given much more emotion and detail than they were in the 2004 movie adaption, which attempted to fit three books into a two hour movie.

The show did a great job of adapting many key aspects of the books. One such aspect is the narration of Lemony Snicket, who was portrayed by Patrick Warburton. Each episode begins with Snicket explaining that it is his sworn duty to recount the tragedy of the Baudelaire orphans and warning viewers that there is no happy ending.

Warburton’s performance is excellent. Rather than just a narrator, Snicket is referenced in the show and is frequently present in a scene, breaking the fourth wall.

A huge flaw in “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is the tone. Partially by Neil Patrick Harris’ questionable performance as the villain, the tone of the show is extremely inconsistent. Mixing a dark tone with comedy can be done right, but scenes were often so mixed that it distracted from the subject matter.

Count Olaf’s henchmen, for example, are loveable and funny, but when a henchman does something twisted and then immediately does something loveable, I’m not sure whether to laugh or to be disturbed. This dynamic is present throughout the entire season and it becomes frustrating to watch.

When reading “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” frustrating dramatic irony is present throughout. This adaptation portrays the dramatic irony really well with the adults almost never seeing through Count Olaf’s disguises. The seeming stupidity of the adults is frustrating at times but it does well to convey theme of strength in children that is present in the book.

The Netflix adaptation is far from perfect but it is a huge step-up from the 2004 film. With compelling performances, a beautiful art style and good crossover from the books, “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is entertaining and left me excited for the second season.

Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu

7.5/10
+ Unique artistic style
+ Strong performances
– Inconsistent tone
– Neil Patrick Harris

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Wolves rally over Northwest Nazarene

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

Junior guard Sydney Azorr put
up the first double-double of her collegiate career to snap a three-game losing skid.

Last week’s action opened with a loss to Central Washington in a game where the women’s basketball team never had the lead. The Saturday game against Northwest Nazarene opened in a similar fashion but in the fourth quarter the Wolves came back from a 14 point deficit.

The 78-75 victory over Northwest Nazarene saw four Western players put up double-digit points. Azorr led the high-scoring effort, racking up 17 points; Kennedy Corrigan contributed 14 points and Savannah Heugly and Jasmine Miller put up 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Azorr had 10 rebounds in addition to her goalscoring effort, keeping the Wolves in the game on the way to her double-double performance.

Northwest Nazarene picked up the lead in the first few seconds of the game. The Wolves played catch-up, often coming within striking distance of tying the game. But the lead stayed with Northwest Nazarene. At the end of the third, they had 12 points on the Wolves.

Then, two and a half minutes into the fourth and final quarter, the Wolves began to turn on the heat. A three-pointer from Azorr kicked off the scoring. She soon hit a second one, then sank a pair of free throws. She led the team as they reenergized.

With 1:44 left, Ali Nelke scored on a jump shot to give the Wolves the lead for the first time. Northwest Nazarene took the lead back briefly but after Azorr took a layup for two points the game stayed with the Wolves.

A jump shot basket and two good free throws from Kennedy Corrigan closed the game.

The team effort in the rally took the Wolves to a 7-10 record.

The short losing streak was broken in time for the Wolves to grab a win from their two week road trip. They return to Monmouth this week to host Western Washington and Simon Fraser.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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Old titles from beyond the TV

Baseball old timers make hall of fame

National Women’s March takes Salem

Inclusion on campus

A timeless oath and an American tradition

Review: “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

Wolves rally over Northwest Nazarene

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