“Breaks are good. It?s not a bad idea to take a break every now and then. I know how hard you all work.” This is a quote from President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet of TV?s “The West Wing,” which makes for a sage comment at the beginning of the fall 2002 semester at Sacramento State. The political drama of three seasons going on four has made a reputation for exhibiting snappy dialogue and above-average plots in a political setting, all the while remaining audience-friendly. Politicians and those unknowledgeable of politics can understand and enjoy the happenings of “The West Wing”, making it one of the finest shows on television today. It?s proof positive that entertainment today isn?t all bad. Every once in awhile, good pieces of entertainment must borrow from the great or notable entertainments from past years or decades.

“The Rear Window” is such a venue for admirable and memorable media, past and present. It is named such for two reasons. First, the title pays homage to “Rear Window,” one of the greatest and possibly the best of Alfred Hitchcock?s films, and it is a personal favorite of mine. Second, it is a symbol of looking back. I could call it “Rear-View Mirror,” but it just doesn?t have the same ring to it.

The idea of a “ring” to things is what will be emphasized here. Deep conversations among friends, family, and acquaintances sometimes involve talking about movies, songs or television shows, those late night conversations where one may recall the awesome philosophies of “Ferris Bueller?s Day Off,” the phenomenon of The Village People or just how cool “Saved By The Bell” was in its time; the references in recent media to past media, such as the Elvis theme throughout Disney?s summer hit, “Lilo and Stitch,” or punch lines in shows such as “The West Wing” that refer to decades-older media such as the 1962 musical, “The Music Man.”

In the coming columns, I will shed proper light on pieces of entertainment history so that readers of all ages shall come to understand and maybe even embrace what was popular decades ago. But perhaps I should set everyone at ease by noting more familiar references.

Smash Mouth has become a band admired by music enthusiasts, notably for “Walking on the Sun,” “All-Star” and their cover of The Monkees? “I?m a Believer” from the finale of last year?s “Shrek.” Their more recent “Pacific Coast Party” samples from soul singer Barry White, whose heyday was in the 1970?s. P. Diddy was infamous several years ago for his almost-useless samplings of Police?s “Every Breath You Take” and Diana Ross? “I?m Comin? Out,” which became “I?ll Be Missing You” and Notorious B.I.G.?s “Mo Money, Mo Problems.” The 2000 film “Shaft,” starring Samuel L. Jackson, is a weaker version of the 1971 Blaxploitation film of the same name, but that?s not to say the remake isn?t worth watching. And one of last season?s new hit shows, “Scrubs,” featured some of the principal cast from the early 1980?s television drama “St. Elsewhere.”

Where else can you find a guide to what was hip and new back then, and how it would all be relevant or worth taking a look at today? We?ll even peek at some of the not-so-popular and underrated media of years past. Who gets covered, you ask? Read on through the semester and be blown away.

The opening quote from “The West Wing” was the beginning of a monologue in the pilot, in response to the insanity in the White House that day. The staffers jeopardized their tasks and their jobs because of their inability to handle their personal problems, while approximately 1,200 Cubans tried to sneak into the United States on rafts. Severe storm conditions forced about 700 to turn back, resulting in 350 or so lost at sea, and 137 taken into custody in Miami. President Bartlet imparted his special brand of wisdom and concluded with words with which I send you all off to your academic studies with. “Break?s over.”