THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
NEWS
3A
» ENTERTAINMENT
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Expect the unexpected from Mencia
Comedian Carlos Mendes performs tonight at Music Hall in Kansas City, M. Me, the second season of *Mendies*' show, "Mind of Mendez," was *Comedy Central*'s highest rated program behind "South Park."
BY MATT LINDBERG mlindberg@kansan.com
From the television to the silver screen and now straight to Kansas City, Mo., Carlos Mencia shares his comedic insight. Mencia, who also hosts the popular Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," will perform at 7 p.m. at the Music Hall in Kansas City, Mo., located at 301 W. 13th St.
Mencia, who tried to get Kansas City as a tour stop on his tour last
year, said he had been coming to Kansas City for years and had built a strong relationship with the city and the people.
"I love it,
it's just a great
city." Mencia
said. "I dig
how half of the city is in Kansas, of course, and the other half is in Missouri. It's incredibly hysterical."
"I just say things you would say if you were in private with close friends."
standards and it could be a bass at times he said that the reward of having a popular show made it all worth it.
Mencia said he attended California State University and planned to be an engineer. He always had things to talk about, but had no outlet because his mom didn't approve of his comedy. He credited his friends who took him to watch and perform stand-up as his inspiration for tackling comedy.
"Racism is not making a comment," Mencia said. "Racism is saying I won't have a black person on my show. Or that I won't have
Since debuting in the summer of 2005, Mencia's television show, "Mind of Mencia," has been so successful that the second season of the show was ranked as Comedy Central's highest rated program ever behind "Sark Park." The program will return for its fourth season in the spring. Mencia said he thought the show would be popular when it first started but was surprised by the level of popularity it has gained.
CARLOS MENCIA
Comedian
"The best part about the show is I get to show people who I am," Mencia said. He said he had to adjust certain parts of the show for Comedy Central and television
Since the start of his show, various critics have accused Mencia of talking about too sensitive of issues. Some critics said he used racist jokes but Mencia doesn't pay attention to any of his critics.
a white person on my show. But I have had every kind of race on the show." He likened his comedy to a "complicated knock-knock joke." He said that he didn't understand those who criticized his jokes after they learned
what was on the other side of the door.
Mencia said his jokes stemmed from reality and that he simply talked about things people discuss when not in public.
"I just say things you would say if you were in private with close friends," Mencia said. "I say what you want to say, I'm just the guy who gets shit for it."
Brent Bollwitz, Ewing, Neba, sophomore, said Mencia's willingness to be honest was what made him a great comedian.
"The thing that makes Carlos unique as a comedian is the fact that he's not afraid to tell it how it truly is." Bollwitt said. "He utilizes so many American-held stereotypes in his acts which you know people may be thinking, but are too afraid to come out and say themselves."
In addition to his stand-up tour and television show, Mencia has been making the transition to movies, including the recently released "The Heartbreak Kid," in which he played Uncle Tito alongside Ben
Stiller.
"It was great working with Ben and the Farrely brothers — unbelievable," Mencia said. He said more films were on the way and that he would do film while continuing his popular television show.
Larry McDonald, Olate resident and a fan who plans to attend Mencia's show tonight, said he thought Mencia would be great in film.
"He's a guy with a lot of talent and I'm sure he'll do just as successful in movies as he has TV if he
continues to make them," he said.
Mencia said fans should expect the unexpected because nothing was staged for tonight's show. Tickets are still available for $36 and $41 depending on seating and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. com or at the Music Hall.
"I don't know what I'm going to talk about a minute before I go on stage," Mencia said. "I fly by the seat of my pants and make sure I don't ignore the audience."
Edited by Rachael Gray
BOOKSTORES
Great football equals discounts
BY COURTNEY CONDRON
ccondron@kansan.com
Other bookstores in Lawrence are offering promotions similar to the Kansas Bookstores' Touchdown 'Tuesdays on campus.
Jayhawk Bookstore has Monday Madness, which gives customers 10 percent off for the first two touchdowns and five additional percent off for each touchdown after that, up to 35 percent on Mondays after games.
Jayhawk Bookstore, 1420 Crescent Rd., has been doing the promotion for 10 to 12 years, but Jimny Kems, Jayhawk Bookstore assistant floor manager, said the Jayhawks' success has helped.
"It's successful every year,but people have been more excited
about it this year." Kems said.
University Book Shop. 1116 W 23rd St., began doing Touchdown Tuesdays the same way as stores on campus, offering five percent off for each touchdown scored, up to 30 percent total.
"So many people heard the ads on the radio and other places, and came in here thinking that we were the ones sponsoring it, so we started honoring the same discount," Brad Heins, University Book Shop manager, said.
The Touchdown Tuesday discounts on campus are available at the Kansas Union, Burge Union, Edwards Campus, Oread Books, KUBookstores.com and the Art and Design Shop.
Edited by Ashlee Kieler
GOVERNMENT Oversight of private guards could increase in Iraq
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to endorse new recommendations to boost government oversight of private guards who protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq.
A day after receiving the proposals from an independent panel, Rice was preparing Tuesday to order the implementation of those that can be taken unilaterally by the State Department, her spokesman, Sean McCormack said. Rice also plans to speak by phone with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, currently on an overseas trip, about those that will require joint action with the Pentagon, McCormack said.
Rice was briefed Monday on the findings of the panel she created in the aftermath of a deadly Sept. 16 shooting in Baghdad in which Blackwater USA guards
were accused of killing 17 Iraqi civilians.
The panel's recommendations broke down into three sections: actions already taken, steps that can be taken by the State Department alone and measures that need Defense Department coordination.
Earlier this month, Rice accepted several preliminary suggestions to improve oversight of security contractors, including having federal agents accompany Blackwater-escorted diplomatic convoys, installing video cameras in security vehicles and improving and recording audio communication between diplomats and the military.
The panel's final report found poor communication between diplomats and military officials and too little oversight of contractors like Blackwater, two people familiar with the report's findings told the Associated Press.
Associated Press
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
October 24, 2007
Hey, you!
Come support the students,
meet new people, and enjoy
Veggie Lunch!
Join the ECM for a Bake
Sale supporting Alternative
Winter Breaks to El Salvador
and the Juarez Border
during Veggie Lunch every
Thursday in October at
the ECM.
Showcase your creative, analytical, team building and 1 leadership skills through a series of competitive events.
The top competitors will receive an offer of a paid internship for the summer 2008 at either Philip Morris USA or Northwestern Mutual Financial.
The competition takes place the even-ings of October 30 and November 7, and during the day November 9.
You can pick up and submit a registration form in 118E Summerfield. All forms must be submitted by Monday, October 22. The form will have more detailed information if you are interested.
Just Drinks
Come and enjoy FreeFair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolate. Mondays, 4pm at the ECM
The University of Boston Brazilian Student Association Welcome to the Brazilian JUNGLE
Tickets available ($7*) at:
Lawrence - SUA Office (KS Union) and The Granada
Olathe - The Brazilian Store
BRASA's Fall Party '07 October 26th @ the Granada - 9pm
International Students Association Presents International Halloween Party Come and enjoy a costume contest and the best of International
funded by:
SUBMITTED
SENATE
music!
Thursday Oct. 25th 9pm-2am At Club Axis 821 Iowa St.
PAID FOR BY KU
Dole Fellow, and host, Jennifer Schmidt Presents: Jo Ann Davidson. Co-chair of the Republican National Committee and 20-year member of the Ohio house of representatives.
"Women in Politics Career Stories"
4:00pm, Wed. Oct 24th at the Dole Institute of Politics
The Brazilian Week - Fall 1977
"Welcome to the Jungle!"
23rd (Tue) - Samba&Axé Workshop
OCTOBER (Wed) - SAMMIE'S WORKSHOP
The Ballroom at the Kansas Union, 7:30-9:30pm - FREE
Free lessons of Brazilian dances - get ready to party with Brazilian dance instructors
Oct24th (Wed) - Brazilian Symposium
308 Burge Union, 7: 9/30 p.m., FREE
Symposium about Brazil and the Amazon, featuring Dr. Paul Sneed (Spanish & Port)
Dr. Melissa Birch (Business), Pedro dos Santos (Political Sciences) end
Rafael Demarco (Molecular Biocioses)
Oct 5th (Plus) - The EIC Brazilian Table/O Music Brasilia
(Based on letter). 6.7-30PM - FREE
Conservancy, some sitting, eating (Brazilian cheese rolls and Guacamole) and lots of fun.
Oct 38th (Fri) - *Welcome to the Jungle* BRAS/Tic Full Party
The Granada. 9pm: $7.00 (tickets @ SUA Office & The Granada)
Come shake your body with the Brazilians of Dandara and band
Brazilian Student Association
Tea Time Movie Screening "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Kansas Union | 4th Floor Lobby Thursday | 3:00 p.m.