Web Behrens

Don't just take the pop-culture pundits' word about "Survivor" becoming a cultural phenomenon. The proof wasn't all the magazine cover stories; the proof was in Chicago's streets and bars August 23, as the finale aired. With one minute till show time, a huge line still stretches along Sheffield Avenue to the doors of the Vic Theatre, where the Pulau Tiga soap opera is screening Brew & View-style -- and cover-free.

A few smart souls, not wanting to miss a second, dart to the nearby Lakeview Links, where a more intimate crowd is gathered. Here is the ultimate proof: This sports bar has banished from its big-screen TVs the White Sox--you know, the currently-in-first-place White Sox?--in favor of Rich, Rudy, Kelly and Sue trying to outlast, outwit and outplay one another.

For two hours, thousands of people in Lakeview venues react as one, high-fiving when Kelly wins immunity, yet again; cheering when Jervis brands Sue a "sore loser"; and laughing when Greg sniffs the marker before casting his wild-card vote. As the Brew & View crowd spills back out to the streets just past 9pm, most seem either stunned or pissed that "Darth Gayder" Rich managed to manipulate his way to the million. But at least one viewer is indifferent: "My friends are so bummed about it, they're heading home," he said. "But I never watched the show until tonight and I didn't care who won." So is he glad he plugged into the hype machine? "Oh yeah! That was great TV, man."

(2000-08-31)

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RODENT JAILBREAK
Throughout the summer, the Neo-Futurists have shilled 8-inch-tall, gray-and-white plastic squirrels at ten bucks a pop to all who felt the spirit. A total of 450 have sold; so far, one-third have come back--painted, beaded, sculpted and/or surgically altered (let us now give thanks for the hot glue gun).
(2000-08-17)

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
When the savvy folks at Wizard magazine took over the Chicago Comicon four years ago, they expanded its focus: Now the Rosemont Convention Center annually hosts the (self-proclaimed) world's largest multimedia pop-culture gathering.
(2000-08-10)

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Prior to the free screening of one of the country's most treasured films comes a tribute to Gene Siskel, featuring speeches and a short, sweet video montage spoiled by an excruciating soundtrack.
(2000-08-03)

BLAZING TRAILS
It's not just a parade anymore.
(2000-05-25)

OSCAR LAND
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OSCAR LAND
(2000-03-23)

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