6| LIFE & ARTS 10
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021| HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Looks like you made it after all: a love letter to the late Ed Anser By NINA MARTINEZ @nincate01
Ed Asner, better known as Carl, the grumpy old man from the Pixar hit “Up,” took his final breath on Aug. 29, 2021 at 91 years old. I could easily fill this piece with a list of his accomplishments with his seven Emmys and role as president of the Screen Actors Guild, but that would read as every other obituary published since his passing. Instead, this is a love letter to Lou Grant, the lovable news producer in the hit ‘70s sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Dear. Mr. Asner, For many in this current era, your passing could simply be viewed as the loss of just another wealthy, white man successful in showbusiness. To me, Mr. Asner, you’re more than that… you’re Lou Grant. My mother introduced me to you
on a Saturday morning when I was 15 years old. It was a rainy day and we wrapped up “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I was in a cranky mood, feeling
a little ill, when an old rerun of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” appeared on cable. My mom told me: “Give it a chance. I think you’ll love it.” I gave it a chance. I loved it. When I met you, I despised you. You were grumpy and cranky, stiff and standoffish. I made a decision then and there about how I would feel about you for the remainder of the show. One episode turned into five and you grew on me. Over the years, I purchased each boxed season of the show at Half Price Books. Around the time I was introduced to your character, I was exploring my love for journalism and storytelling. I felt I was growing up alongside Mary Richards. For quite some time, I picCOURTESY OF WIKI COMMONS tured my life going as Mary’s did. Ed Asner was an actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, The show gave me hope and perbest known for his roles in Disney Pixar’s “Up” and the 70s spective on how much bigger the sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Asner passed of natural world is than me. It allowed me to crecauses in his home Aug. 29. ate a dream job and dream boss in my
mind for whom I would one day work for, or even become. You were, to me you still are, the crotecty yet tenderhearted, cultivated leader at WJM TV’s “Six O’Clock News.” Beneath the moody and dry-humored old man, you were a passionate, consistent and selfless boss. You held yourself to the same standards you set for your employees. You were ethical and kind, never allowing your personal feelings to interfere with the reporting. In your spin-off, “The Lou Grant Show,” your values shined through in your role as editor. Your personal reputation was not of concern, but rather whether or not your employees were successful in their own careers. Lou, Mr. Grant, Mr. Asner: thank you for inspiring my 15-year-old self. When I found free time in college, I spent it winding down watching you, Mary and Murray mock Ted Baxter as anchor. The camaraderie in the newsroom is something I aspire to one day be a part of. Thank you for further cultivating my love and appreciation for great reporting and leadership. Rest in Peace, Mr. Grant.
Missing the old Kanye: new track “Donda” convoluted by controversy By TAHEERA WASHINGTON onstage with him, but theatrics @taheera_06
Kanye West’s latest track “Donda” serves as a tribute to his late mother, Dr. Donda West, but controversy and lack of artistic direction looms over the 10th studio album’. Kanye’s previous projects, like “Jesus is King” and “ye,” barely reach 23 minutes and feel unfinished. However, “Donda” asks listeners to tune in for a dragging 108 minutes that ends up hiding the introspective themes of loss and spirituality that should’ve been the album’s driving force. What ends up fueling “Donda” is the exploitative marketing -beginning with the three listening parties. Each listening party featured a revised version of the album, but it became a spectacle rather than an appreciation of music. It’s difficult to understand what Kanye’s reasoning was for inviting artists like DaBaby or Marilyn Manson
music: more subtle yet darker King.” Through this subdued prior to the release of “Donda” and Kanye seem synonymous in its toned down worship-like style, the content should be is more memorable than the alover the past years. Compre- aesthetic following “Jesus Is at the forefront, but the hype bum itself. “Donda” prioritizes hending the visuquantity over qualals of the listening ity, with most of the party was a losing songs either blending battle, ending with together from similar more unanswered production styles or questions, such as slightly missing the why is his ex-wife mark. Kim Kardashian on Analyzing “Jesus stage? Kanye’s artisLord”—the second tically empty decilongest track behind sions made it easier “Jesus Lord Pt. 2”— to miss all of the highlights the core of changes to “Donda.” what “Donda” is as a For instance, the body of work. Kanye shuffled track order, opens up about fightadded songs or reing multiple demons, vised verses. such as addiction and The issues don’t grieving his mother’s disappear following death, and connects it the album’s release; to a shared struggle of convoluting the alstaying connected to bum’s core message his faith during these of exploring Kanye’s times. It features a COURTESY OF WIKI COMMONS multifaceted identiverse from Jay ElecKanye West’s anticipated 10th studio album, “Donda” was realeased Aug. 29. ty. This era of Kanye tronica, but the outro The album is named after his late mother, Dr. Donda West. is reflected in his narrated by Larry
Hoover Jr. ties these themes together. His speech highlights the case that Kanye asked to be pardoned of his father, Larry Hoover Sr., who’s currently still incarcerated in prison. This profound lyricism is hidden from the dragged out nature of the minimalisticsounding song and unusual flow for Kanye, which is the case for most of the tracks on “Donda.” Standouts are “Jail,” “Off the Grid,” and “Believe What I Say,” but it’s key to recognize that these tracks are reminiscent of Kanye prior to “The Life of Pablo.” He announced on that album that the new Kanye was here to stay, and the beginning of “Donda” seems like this new version of the rapper has potential. Yet, the end of “Donda” doesn’t make the yearning for old Kanye disappear; in fact, “Donda” ends with wondering if Kanye can ever follow up the legacy left behind from his older work.
