Trippin' on history
Miniseries tries to capture the spirit of decade through music and film clips

By ASHLEY MARTIN
Collegian Staff Writer

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll in prime time.

No, it's not an A&E's "Biography" of the High Priest of acid, Timothy Leary. It's NBC's four-hour miniseries, "The '60s."

Those who watched the first part of the miniseries last night should prepare themselves for a second dose of the same and a whole lot more.

At 9 p.m. today NBC will air the second episode of this look at the jam-packed decade that continually shocked and changed America. Starring Charles S. Dutton, Jerry O'Connell and Jordana Brewster, the series revisits numerous topics, spanning from the peak of the Civil Rights movement to the Vietnam War to the sexual revolution.

"The '60s" chronicles the lives of two families, the white Herlihys, from Chicago, and the black Taylors, from Greenwood, Miss., and traces their ordeals and transformations through the tumultuous decade. Historical film clips supplement the drama and help include many of the significant moments shaping the collective culture of the 1960s.

But in attempting to capture one the most volatile times in recent American history, "The '60s" may fall into the trap of stereotyping complex events. Mel Sala (freshman-education) thought part of the series looked realistic but "most of it just looks like love, drugs and streaking."

Each character represents a certain image of 1960s' society, ranging from a rebellious hippie to a Vietnam soldier. Journeying from Greenwich Village to San Francisco, the characters relive many events actual participants remember, including John F. Kennedy's assassination, student protests and the moon landing.

With the viewpoints of several generations and two races, the miniseries touches on innumerable issues and icons, contributing enough to recreate the aura of the era. But this attempt to fabricate an all-inclusive portrayal of the time period may come with a sacrifice of reality.

"I'm kind of leery of what they do to subject matter on TV," said Josh Ferko, manager of Arboria Records, 119 E. Beaver Ave. "I'm afraid that a lot of the things are glossed over or glamorized."

But today's younger population may also be able to relate to the matters addressed. David Westby, Penn State professor, finds relevant associations between modern political conflicts and those 30 to 40 years ago.

"In the fueling controversy over the (Clinton) impeachment, I see a rebirth of the battle of the '60s," he said.

Regardless of its political implications, the smorgasbord of NBC's "The '60s" should provide something to interest members of any generation who watch. The soundtrack itself is a formidable presence in both episodes. Listen for a re-recording of "Chimes of Freedom" by Bob Dylan and Joan Osborne. Also, look for guest appearances by David Alan Grier, Donovan Leitch and Carnie Wilson, as well as a cameo by '60s figure Wavy Gravy.