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June 28, 2007
Thursday's TV picks
NBC gives viewers every chance in the world this summer to catch-up on the funniest show on TV, “The Office,” which stars Acton’s Steve Carell.
Viewers can catch three classic episodes tonight (WHDH-TV, Channel 7) at 8:30, 9 and 9:30. If you’ve been on the fence about the show (which some have considering its OK ratings that should be a lot BETTER) do tune into the 8:30 p.m. episode where Michael (Carell) experiences a panic attack — classic stuff there.
Other Thursday TV highlights include:
“Star Wars IV: A New Hope” (5:45 p.m., HBO-HD)
NBA Draft (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
“My Name is Earl” (8 p.m., NBC)
“Ugly Betty” (8 p.m., ABC)
Thanks for all your e-mails about my front page story the other day about “Harry Potter” mania. For those of you who don’t get The Sun (!) below is my story:
By Andrew Ravens
aravens@lowellsun.com
The final Harry Potter book hits store shelves July 21 and fans of the wizardry series gear up by doing what else?
They reread the first six books at a furious pace, of course.
Chelmsford’s Becky Krupkoski just polished off the first five novels (some of which exceed 600 pages) in four weeks. The 14-year-old is now rereading the sixth installment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which took her less than 24 hours to finish the first time around. She expects to devour the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in similar fashion.
“I can’t wait for the book or the movie,” said Krupkoski, who called July the longest month of her life. She’s not kidding.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book and latest movie, comes to theaters on July 13 and it’s hard to determine what fans are more excited about: The release of another movie or the final novel from English author J.K. Rowling.
Chelmsford’s Alex Dews, 15, will dress up as a Hogwart’s student — sporting stockings and a full robe — when she attends the movie’s midnight premiere.
“I like going to the midnight showings,” said Dews, who works part time at Chelmsford Public Library. “All the funny people go. It’s going to be funny.”
Dews next week plans to start reading all six books for what she calls the “sixth or seventh time” in preparation for the new movie and Deathly Hallows. She figures, depending on her work schedule, to finish the series in about a week.
Dews thinks Rowling is ending the Potter series at just the right time — stretching a mystery or fantasy series too long makes it vulnerable and uninteresting, she said.
“I have a feeling she’s (Rowling) not done completely in the Harry Potter universe,” said Dews. “I’ve read books where authors will use the same universe to create new characters. There might be a new character who runs into Harry, but it (the story) wouldn’t be about Harry.”
Harry Potter fan Paul Oliver, 13, of Wilmington, also doesn’t sound too disappointed that the end is near.
“I’m going to read them all over again,” he said of the books. “It’s always a new adventure to me.”
Oliver is a regular guest of Harry Potter discussion groups held at the Wilmington Memorial Library, where everyone makes predictions about the series conclusion.
Susan MacDonald, Wilmington’s children’s librarian, runs the discussions and hasn’t found anyone who is really upset that the end is near. She also indicated that most readers believe Harry will survive.
“I haven’t seen anyone depressed yet,” she said.
Still, there’s help for anyone needing a Potter fix as the library tonight at 7 will host a predictions and support group.
Maureen Foley, head of children’s services at Chelmsford Public Library, has read every book three times in preparation for a July 7 Potter discussion she will host.
Foley says the Potter books increase children (and adult) reading and encourage readers (especially kids) to reach for thicker books with challenging vocabulary.
“Children know these books in such detail — it’s breathtaking,” she said. “This is a cultural phenomenon. I hope parents recognize the special time we are living in. We have a month to go and the end will be known. That’s why the speculation is fascinating — Is Snape good or evil? Will Harry live?”
Becky Krupkoski’s mom, Debbie Krupkoski, who teaches reading at the Lincoln School in Lowell, also appreciates what Rowling’s stories have done.
“I was skeptical at first,” said Debbie Krupkoski, who predicts Harry will not survive. “But as I got into it I picked up the first book and it really draws you in. The wonderful characters, thinking about what could happen — it’s incredible.”
For the first time, Debbie Krupkoski will bring Becky and her other daughter, Amanda Krupkoski, 24, to the Midnight Madness Potter book release party at Barnes & Noble in Nashua that starts at 6 p.m. on July 20.
Dews will also be there in Nashua with her 10-year-old brother, Peter Dews, to buy the last Harry Potter book. She also has some good advice for any midnight newbies.
“Some kids find the last sentence (of the newly released book) and shout it out loud,” said Dews, who has a plan to avoid hearing the ending. “I’ll bring earplugs and my iPod and play it very loud.”
Let’s hope there are no spoilers out there.
Posted by Andy Ravens at June 28, 2007 10:57 AM