TOW #1 - Article: "A Wiseguy, Retooled for Police Work"

In the article, "A Wiseguy, Retooled for Police Work", Dave Itzkoff writes about Andy Samburg's transition from the late night sketch comedy show, "Saturday Night Live", to starring in a prime-time comedy series, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" on the FOX network, in this week's issue of The New York Times. Dave Itzkoff has been a culture reporter for The New York Times since 2006. Itzkoff is a published author of two memoirs. Andy Samburg left "Saturday Night Live"at the end of last year's season, in 2012. While dabbling in different types of film, such as Indie Flicks and music videos for The Lonely Island, his comedic musical group, Samburg had trouble deciding what his next move would be. After watching SNL alum Amy Poehler transition smoothly into a starring sitcom role on "Parks and Recreation", he came to the conclusion that he would take the starring role on the new FOX show, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."
In this article, Itzkoff achieves his purpose through his effective use of rhetoric. The author effectively uses juxtaposition to bring forward the different types of work Samburg has accomplished and compare them to demonstrate his professional timeline, as well as maturation. "By comparison, Mr. Samburg said, he felt he could easily navigate the responsibilities of being the star and a producer of 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'." This allows the reader to understand the pressure Samburg faced while at SNL by concluding that starring in and producing a prime-time show on a national network could be "easily navigated."
Dave Itzkoff adapts a tone of admiration while writing about Samburg that give the audience a sense of admiration for his professional accomplishments. SNL digital shorts, such as the infamous clip featuring Justin Timberlake about surprising items in a box, are highlighted in this article to exemplify Samburg's success at "Saturday Night Live." The author reached the audience by bringing highly popular work that Samburg has accomplished, to the foreground, in order for the audience to connect to the article as well as Samburg.
The impeccable use of rhetoric in this article undoubtably helps the author achieve his clear purpose and at the same time allowing the audience to connect to the article.