Thumbs up to... ...Coco’s class. Last Friday, Conan O’Brien had every reason to be bitter. After barely seven months, capricious network executives had forcibly cut O’Brien’s brief time as Tonight Show host short. A lesser man would have devoted his final show to a vindictive, self-serving diatribe-and he would have been justified. But not Conan. Circumstances aside, O’Brien put together a poignant, selfless finale. The show hardly deviated from the standard format, complete with celebrity interviews. Conan proved he was the better man through this debacle. Wherever he ends up in the years ahead, we’ll be watching.
....Haiti Earthquake Response. The Eagle has already praised the efforts of the AU community responding to Haiti’s desperate need, but a second mention is well-deserved. This weekend, a benefit concert was held in the Kay Spiritual Center to raise funds and awareness for the earthquake victims. Because of the amazing reaction and attendance of AU students, the event raised nearly $3,000. Keep it up AU. Haiti will continue to demonstrate need in the coming months.
....Hawaii’s Senate approval of civil unions for gay couples. Despite being voted down less than a year ago, a bill that would recognize civil unions for gay couples was revived and passed in the Hawaii Senate over the weekend. These civil unions would give the exact same benefits as marriage. Not only is this a step in the long walk toward equality, it’s in an island paradise! With the bill’s veto-proof majority, there is now an exorbitant amount of pressure for the Republican Gov. Linda Lingle to sign it into law.
Thumbs down to...
...NBC Chief Executive Jeff Zucker. After single-handedly driving NBC’s primetime and late night ratings into the ground and forcing Conan O’Brien to leave the network, only one thing can be said on Mr. Zucker: He is a great television executive ... for me to poop on!
...The end of Jersey Shore. They came. They saw. They fist pumped. And we all fell in love. Besides causing hair gel sales to spike, inspiring a countless number of themed parties and instigating jealousy in all of the 10 AU students who aren’t from the Garden State, Jersey Shore characters each forced their way into our hearts through their extravagant, ridiculous and hilarious life choices. We will miss them so. MTV had better be in the process of developing a new season. If not, we’ll have a Situation.
....TDR Coffee. A wise man once said that a morning without coffee is sleep. Upon visiting AU, he promptly declared a morning with TDR coffee is a nightmare — and we agree. As it stands, students breakfasting in TDR can look forward to coffee as appealing as the 8:30’s we are headed to. It’s time to step up your game, Bon Appetit. The attendance rates of morning classes rest on your shoulders.
