University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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Gators ' Spend The Night ' 2) J. Webster I) Jim Belushi talks about his experience on Satur- day Night Live. 2) Belushi ' s appearance was sponsored by Accent and Rock 104. 3) Belushi opens with a song that is comically de- layed by his slow chord changes on the guitar. 3) J. Webster 1 18 Jim Belushi

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2) R. Cofer 3) R. Cofer Religion And Politics Mingle A park-like area famous for political rallies and religious activities was a good description for the Plaza of the Americas. The images of Hare Krishnas, Protes- tant evangelists and rallies centering on the issues of Nicaragua and South Africa were a common sight to students walking through the Plaza. In the afternoons, the Hare Krishna devotees served free lunches and provided musical entertainment with Eastern in- struments. Not to be outdone, the evange- lists traditionally made the Plaza the site of their preaching. Jed and Cindy Smock were the most popular evangelists due to their frank discussions about sex. Groups calling for economic sanctions against South Africa could be found hand- ing out literature, while forums on the American involvement in the Nicaraguan civil war were held. At times, these activi- ties turned into shouting matches. Of course, the Plaza was ultimately the students ' favorite place to relax. Many dents took a break from their studies in order to throw a frisbee or lay in the sun. — Mark Protheroe 1) Cindy Smock, a travelling evangelist, warns OF students against the sins of promiscuity. 2) The Plaza is a great place to study and rest. 3) A student makes the mistake of arguing with Cindy Smock. Plaza Of The Amerieas 17

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With Jim Belushi 1) J. Webster 2) J. Webster 3) J. Webster Jim Belushi of Saturday Night Live fame lectured at UF on September 26. The comedian-turned actor had opened his film career this year with appearances in About Last Night, Jumpin ' Jack Flash and Little Shop of Horrors. Sponsored by Accent and Rock 104, Be- lushi ' s appearance had been preceeded with controversy. Associate Dean of Stu- dent Affairs Phyllis Meek had labelled the advertising as obscene. During his lecture, Belushi answered questions from the audience and talked about improvisational comedy. In addi- tion, Belushi presented an improvisational workshop with three UF students. The comedian ' s lecture was preceeded by a press conference, where Belushi talked about his education, his career and Phyllis Meek. The following interview was the Tower ' s portion of that press confer- ence. Tower: How did you come across the part for About Last Night? Belushi: I did the play in 1979, and the producers who produced the play pro- duced the movie. Basically, they got some money up and what they decided to do was to peddle it. For six years, they peddled it and Tri-Star Pictures decided to do it. Then, I came in, read for the director, did a screen test for the studio and I got it. Tower: Is this your first work with David Mamet? Belushi: Yeah, Sexual Perversity in Chi- cago was the play. Tower: What did you do before you went into comedy? Belushi: My father had a restaurant — a steak house — a very nice restaurant. I worked there from age 11 to 16 as a bus- boy, dishwasher . . . worked up to cook. Then, he sold it. If he didn ' t sell it, I ' d probably be serving dinner right now. In college, I painted houses to pay for school. Tower: What did you study? Belushi: In college, I studied speech, the- atre, education. Tower: What school did you attend? Belushi: I went to three schools. I went to a junior college called College of DuPage, I went to Southern Illinois University and I went to University of Illinois. Tower: Do you plan to do any more televi- sion? Belushi: At the moment, no. I ' ve done a lot of television. I did two prime time se- ries: Saturday Night Live, an episode of Lav erne and Shirley. So, I ' ve done it and it ' s a very tough thing to do, but I want to explore film a little bit. Tower: A UF administrator was offended by Accent ' s advertising poster of your lec- ture, which read I Spent the Night with Jim Belushi. Belushi: (Phyllis) Meek? Tower: Yes, but I would like to know your opinion of that. Belushi: Is it a woman? Tower: Yes. Belushi: Is she married? Tower: I wouldn ' t know. Belushi: Does she get laid? (Reporters laugh.) Belushi: It ' s fine. She can be offended by it. I ' m probably totally offended by her. Tower: You said you haven ' t done a uni- versity lecture circuit for quite a long time. What made you decide to go back with it? Belushi: Well, first of all, there was inter- est here. They approached me. Secondly, when you work in film and in television, you get very removed from the audience. One of the reasons I like doing these is because you ' re in front of a live audience and you get a feel for where their sensibil- ity for humor is . . . The other reason is when I was at college, there was a lecture series. I used to go to them all -- every one — and they really inspired me and the like. Now, I have something to offer and it ' s kind of like a repaying . . . I take the mon- ey that I receive from this and put it into a fund for my son for college. — Mark Protheroe 1) Jim Belushi listens to a question at the press conference that preceeds his lecture. 2) Belushi is 42 years old, divorced and has a six- year-old son named Robert. 3) Belushi grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, a city just outside of Chicago. Jim Belushi 19