Journalists poke fun at media in annual show
Jennifer Joyner
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Lifestyles
The local Society of Professional Journalists will direct and perform the annual "Northwest Arkansas Gridiron Show" 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Rogers Little Theater.
"It's the Comedy, Stupid" is written, directed and performed by the local SPJ. The show spoofs news headliners of the past year in sketch and song, according to a press release.
The tradition of the Gridiron show was resurrected in 2004.
"One of the reasons we stopped doing the show after 13 years [from 1978-1990] is that doing it all was too hard on the journalists," said Katherine Shurlds, a UA journalism professor, who oversees the writing, casting, costuming, volunteers and publicity for the show.
"The local branch of the American Association of University Women called me, as then president of the local chapter of Professional Journalists, to ask if we would be willing to bring back the show if they were our partners," she said.
AAUW handles the theater contract, the reception food, ticket sales, playbook ads and helps with costumes and many other chores, Shurlds said.
"It's the Comedy, Stupid" pokes fun at the search for efficient fuel, an unhealthy time at the Washington County Health Department and how Bella Vista is dealing with its goose poop problem. For sports fans, the Gridiron sees the world through Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino's eyes and looks in to see what Frank Broyles, former UA athletic director, might be doing in retirement, according to the press release.
Gridiron writers are always happiest in an election year and what an election year it is. Six candidates for Fayetteville mayor compete in the "Singing Bee" where they must finish the words to a song about their campaigns. In Springdale, where six more candidates are vying for mayor, the Gridiron treats them to some group therapy, according to the press release.
In the federal level, Third District Rep. John Boozman gets some advice from a campaign aide. The "Sarah-cuda," John McCain's vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, gets her own song this year to tell everyone how wonderful it is being a conservative, according to the press release.
"It's the Comedy, Stupid" is written, directed and performed by the local SPJ. The show spoofs news headliners of the past year in sketch and song, according to a press release.
The tradition of the Gridiron show was resurrected in 2004.
"One of the reasons we stopped doing the show after 13 years [from 1978-1990] is that doing it all was too hard on the journalists," said Katherine Shurlds, a UA journalism professor, who oversees the writing, casting, costuming, volunteers and publicity for the show.
"The local branch of the American Association of University Women called me, as then president of the local chapter of Professional Journalists, to ask if we would be willing to bring back the show if they were our partners," she said.
AAUW handles the theater contract, the reception food, ticket sales, playbook ads and helps with costumes and many other chores, Shurlds said.
"It's the Comedy, Stupid" pokes fun at the search for efficient fuel, an unhealthy time at the Washington County Health Department and how Bella Vista is dealing with its goose poop problem. For sports fans, the Gridiron sees the world through Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino's eyes and looks in to see what Frank Broyles, former UA athletic director, might be doing in retirement, according to the press release.
Gridiron writers are always happiest in an election year and what an election year it is. Six candidates for Fayetteville mayor compete in the "Singing Bee" where they must finish the words to a song about their campaigns. In Springdale, where six more candidates are vying for mayor, the Gridiron treats them to some group therapy, according to the press release.
In the federal level, Third District Rep. John Boozman gets some advice from a campaign aide. The "Sarah-cuda," John McCain's vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, gets her own song this year to tell everyone how wonderful it is being a conservative, according to the press release.
Be the first to comment on this story