[News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Today on News 7, an old mystery may have been solved in Montgomery County as authorities tentatively identify some human remains.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]

and the Pentagon uses its big bombs in an effort to get to Osama Bin Laden. [Weather-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]


Just when you thought winter weather had arrived, the new temperature trend is much warmer. Details ahead.

[Medical-Head]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#med heads]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


Also today, police think they have arrested the people responsible for the Goner computer virus,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

and it may have been Hollywood, but this police chase was not a scene from a movie. We will tell you what was really going on.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]


[open]
[SUPER=#4063; Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]
[SUPER=@robin1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]


[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT14:11:44]
[IN Q=]

((I'E SEEN IT. I THINK MY CHARACTERIAZTION OF IT WAS DISGUSTING.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=was disgusting.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 09.5]


The Deputy Defense Secretary is talking about a videotape of Osama bin laden... showing his reaction to the World Trade Center attack.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:11:59]
[IN Q=]

((I'M ASSUMING THE TRANSLATION THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME WAS CORRECT AND THE BODY LANGUAGE THAT I SAW IT REALLY WAS JUST DISGUSING. I MEAN THAT PEOPLE WOULD TAKE TO LIGHT IN HAVING KILLED INNOCENT CIVILIANS.))
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=KILLING INNOCENT CIVILIANS.]

(------------)[5-War-Update]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Enduring Freedom]


The Bush Administration is still deciding if it'll release the video of bin Laden.. in the video bin laden praises the September 11th attacks.
Meanwhile opposition forces are tightening the noose around a mountain fortress where bin Laden may be hiding.
Aleen Sirgany is live in Washington with the latest.
[LIVE=Sirgany FULL]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem/Pentagon Spokesman;]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

((ANTI-TALIBAN FIGHTERS SAY THEY'VE CAPTURED A KEY RIDGE NEAR THE MOUNTAIN FORTRESS OF TORA BORA - FROM AL-QAEDA FORCES . BUT WITH OSAMA BIN LADEN STILL ON THE RUN, THERE IS NO BACKING DOWN. U-S WARPLANES CONTINUE THEIR AIR ASSAULT, WHILE ON THE GROUND. ...TRIBAL FIGHTERS, BACKED BY AMERICAN SPECIAL FORCES, CONTINUE TO PUSH INTO THOSE RUGGED MOUNTAINS WHERE A THOUSAND PRO-BIN LADEN FIGHTERS ARE THOUGHT TO BE HIDING. THE U.S. MILITARY HAS DROPPED A GIANT 15-THOUSAND-POUND BOMB ON ONE CAVE WHERE IT WAS REPORTED BIN LADEN WAS SEEKING REFUGE. BUT THE PENTAGON SAYS ITS TOO SOON TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT BIN LADEN WAS ACTUALLY THERE. REAR ADMIRAL JOHN STUFFLEBEEM/ PENTAGON SPOKESPERSON Its still a hot area... confirm what happened on the ground.
TO THE SOUTH, MARINES ARE MOVING EVEN CLOSER TO KANDAHAR TO CUT OFF ESCAPE ROUTES AND SEARCH FOR MISSING TERRORISTS. THE PENTAGON BELIEVES THE TALIBANS LEADER, MULLAH MOHAMMED OMAR, IS STILL CLOSE BY. JOHN STUFFLEBEEM/PENTAGON SPOKESMANTC11: "We've got good indicators that he has not left the area. He may, in fact, not be in the city, but we don't believe that he's left the area." AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, C-I-A OFFICER MIKE SPANN, THE ONLY AMERICAN KILLED BY ENEMY FIRE IN AFGHANISTAN, WAS BURRIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS AND WAS REMEMERED AS AN AMERICAN HERO. Sept 11th anniversary: bush asking countries to play national anthem. 70 countries...will participate....including muslin nations.))


[5-Peace-Protesters]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=501-06 1:20:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The leader of some anti- war demonstrators is found guilty of violating Lynchburg's protest permit ordinance.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Jack Payden-Travers was cited after this vigil last month in front of Monument Terrace.
City law requires groups of five or more to get a permit before gathering in public.. the peace group did "not" have a permit for its demonstration on November 9th.
They say they're being singled out for their message.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:03:34//13:58:58]
[IN Q=I think very]

((JACK PAYDEN-TRAVERS/L'BURG PEACE EDUCATION CENTER: I THINK VERY MUCH IT'S THE FACT THAT WE'RE PROTESTING THE BOMBING IN AFGHANISTAN. AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO PROTEST THAT BOMBING AS LONG AS IT GOES ON.)) ((DAVID BAUGH/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: THE WAY THE LYNCHBURG CITY ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN, ANY TIME FIVE PEOPLE AGREE TO MEET IN THE STREETS TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING, IF THEY PRE-PLAN IT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PERMIT. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY WITH FREE SPEECH, YOU HAVE TO GET A PERMIT TO MEET TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.))
[SUPER=01-Jack Payden-Travers/L'burg Peace Education Center; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Baugh/Defense Attorney; :09]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=have a conversation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Payden- Travers was fined 50 dollars today for violating the ordinance.
He is appealing the conviction.
(------------)



[5-Monty-Remains]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=501-14 1:02:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A 23-year old mystery may be solved in the Town of Blacksburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :20]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Police believe the remains of a missing Virginia Tech student have been found. 23-year-old Jan Beecher (Sheckley) Schoechle disappeared on January First 19-79. He left his Blacksburg apartment for a walk and never returned. Earlier this month, a hunter reported finding bones and part of a skull in wooded area of Montgomery County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:14:00]
[IN Q=there was]

((WILLIAM BROWN/CHIEF BLACKSBURG POLICE DEPT.; THERE WAS SOME CLOTHING FOUND AND THEN THERE WAS A VIRGINIA TECH ID FOUND IN THE JEANS THAT WERE FOUND THERE.))
[SUPER=01-William Brown/Blacksburg Police Chief;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=FOUND THERE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

They items were discovered off of Meadowbrook Drive, just outside of Blacksburg. Police say they're still waiting for positive identification from the medical examiner.
(------------)



[5-Henry-Budget]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=501-04 1:13:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Henry County is 285 thousand dollars short with five months left to go in its fiscal year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 16.5]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]


The Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to use money from the general fund to make up the deficit.
Board Chairman Mike Seidle says the county will "squeak by" for the rest of the year on what's left of the general fund... but is looking to the state for help.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mark Warner made]

((MIKE SEIDLE: MARK WARNER MADE THE STATEMENT THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE CARE AND LEVEL OUT THE STATE BUDGET FIRST, AND THAT'S NOT GOOD NEWS ESPECIALLY TO THE LOCALITIES.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Seidle/Board Chairman]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=the localities.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The county blames the budget shortfall on a 710 thousand dollar decline in revenue.
Much of that came from tax brakes the county gave to businesses like V-F Imagewear to help them generate and retain jobs.
(------------)



[5-School-Board]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=501-11 57:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Local school boards are working with lawmakers to find answers to funding questions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :12]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Members of the Roanoke City, Roanoke County and Botetourt County school boards met with several legislators today. Their main concern was where to get the money to pay for capital improvements and pay raises.
(///// SOT at :12 /////)
[SOT 17:47-18:08]
[IN Q=I think the funding crisis...]

((WAYNE HARRIS/SUPERINTENDENT, ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS: I THINK THE FUNDING CRISIS WE'RE IN IS A TROUBLE TO ALL OF US IN EDUCATION. I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT DELEGATES WILL DOEVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SEE THAT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE WILL COME TO US.)) ((DELEGATE MORGAN GRIFFITH/ NOW, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE LESS MONEY THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK. NOW, THAT MAY MEAN CUTS IN SOME OTHER PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE LIKE AS WELL, BUT EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE BIG THREE IN MY OPINION.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke City Schools Superintendent;]
[SUPER=@Griffith;]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=one of the big three, in my opinion.]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Griffith was joined in the discussion by Delegate Chip Woodrum and Senator John Edwards. [(toss to R)]
(toss to Robin)

[Robin-Tease] [12/10/2001]
[SS=NONE]ROBIN IN WX-CENTER


[WXPRO/FULL] WEATHER TODAY TOMORROW FORECAST

[SS=NONE]ROBIN TOSS BACK[Tease#1]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Tease1]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A year long study into Virginia's death penalty is over. We'll have the results after this break.
(--------------)

[VO] Also we will tell you what happened when an unemployed stuntman decided to get in the middle of a police chase.
(--------------)

[Closed captioning]

[Commercial Break #1]




[5-JLARC]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=501-15 1:32:07]
[GRAPHIC=Death Penalty]


A year-long legislative study of Virginia's death penalty has mixed news.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :16]
[SUPER=03-Jarratt/File Tape;]


First, which criminals are prosecuted for the death penalty varies widely according to where they commit the crime.

But there is NO evidence since 1995 in Virginia that race is a factor in who is tried and executed for capital murder.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I find the report troubling]
[sot tape 12:02:14 ]

((VINCE CALLAHAN/R-FAIRFAX: I FIND THE REPORT TROUBLING. IT RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAT IT ANSWERS. WE FIND UNEVEN APPLICATION.))07
[sot tape 12:05:40 ]

((SEN. TOMMY NORMENT/R-WILLIAMSBURG: I DON'T FIND THE REPORT TROUBLING. I THINK IT IS VERY CONFIRMING... WE'RE DOING A PRETTY DAGGONE GOOD JOB IN HANDLING A SUBJECT THAT IS MORALLY TROUBLING AND POLICY WISE DIVISIVE.))20
[SUPER=01-Del. Vince Callahan/(R) Fairfax; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tommy Norment/(R) Williamsburg; :08]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=troubling, and policy-wise divisive.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :14]


The report did NOT try to prove whether Virginia has ever executed an innocent person.
It does conclude that Virginia's post-trial procedures mean many claims related to the fairness of the trial are never reviewed on appeal.
(------------)



[5-Goner]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


It caused millions of dollars in damage to computers worldwide-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tel Aviv, Israel;]


Today four Israeli teens who admitting to writing and spreading the Goner computer worm.... appeared in court.
The 15 and 16 year olds were arrested Friday.
The four suspects admitted that one of the teens programmed the virus. One of the other three admitted to spreading the worm, which travelled via e-mail.
It first appeared as a message with the subjetct "Hi" and a screen saver attachment.
The virus deleted files and clogged e-mail boxes around the world.
(------------)


[5-Bush-Reading]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Bush ]


Talk about a field trip to remember...
(------------)
[VO-NAT 11]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


Students from one Virginia elementary school... went on a trip to the White House today-
Not only that, but they heard a Christmas story from President Bush and first lady Laura.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:12:51]
[IN Q=]

((TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.... A MOUSE.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=a mouse.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT11 plus pad]


After the stories were read, the children had the chance to ask questions. They were then invited to have punch and cookies.
The students are from Hoffman Boston Elemtary in Arlington.
(------------)



[5-Saluda-Grade]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5PM]
[WRITER=tst]
[TAPE#=501-12]
[GRAPHIC=]


Life is about to get a little easier for some engineers on the Norfolk Southern railway.
The company says it will no longer run trains over the legendary Saluda Grade in North Carolina.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Saluda, NC/November 13, 1994;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


On one of its last runs, steam locomotive six-eleven showed off its power by hauling an excursion train up the grade.
The three mile stretch of track has been the scene of many serious wrecks over the years.
It's rated a four-point-seven percent grade. Among railroad workers, a THREE percent grade is considered brutal.
Norfolk Southern spokeswoman Susan Terpay says Saluda Grade is being taken out of service because traffic patterns have changed.
However, she says the tracks will be maintained, in case the line is ever needed again.
(------------)



[5-Stuntman]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Los Angeles police chasing a car full of robbery suspects received a little unwanted help last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hollywood, CA;]


Authorities had used spike strips to blow the cars tires out, but the suspects still wouldn't stop.
So after FOUR HOURS, a man who described himself as an unemployed stuntman took matters into his own hands.
He jumped on the hood of the car in an effort to block the driver's view. The stuntman was unsuccessful in stopping the car. He said he was just trying to help the police. The suspects finally surrendered.
In the end they were arrested, along with the stuntman.
(------------)

[Tease#2]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Coming up next on the newscast,
(--------------)

[VO] a local family explains why adoption has made their family complete for the holidays.
(---------------)



[COMM-#2][5-Adoption]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jbi]
[TAPE#=501-09 1:28:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The decision to start a family can be challenging... but when it comes to adoption the stakes are even higher. Jacey Birch introduces us to a family who fell in love with their son before even meeting him.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mom and daughter]
[SUPER=01-John Selby/Father; :16]
[SUPER=01-Marge Savage/Commonwealth Catholic Charities; :31]
[SUPER=01-Deborah Selby/Mother; :48]
[SUPER=01-Meg Selby/Sister; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=News Seven Salem. ***WAIT FOR THE KISS***]

(( Mom and daughter are decorating the Christmas tree while Dad holds the baby. A typical family on a typical December afternoon... right? Yes except that three month-old Jack just became a member of the family two weeks ago and he is Vietnamese.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:12:25-34]

((WE HAD TWO OR THREE FRIENDS WHO WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION AND THEIR KIDS WERE GREAT AND THEY WERE AROUND OUR AGE AND WE JUST SAID I BET WE COULD MAKE IT HAPPEN TOO SO WE DID.))
[IN Q=We had two]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=so we did.]


International adoption became the Selby's first choice since there is virtually no waiting list, and it fit their circumstances.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:32-38]

((IT'S A GREAT OPTION FOR FAMILIES WHO MAY ALREADY HAVE CHILDREN, WHO MIGHT BE A LITTLE OLDER, SINGLE PARENTS ARE WELCOME.))
[IN Q=It's a great]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=parents are welcome.]


The Selbys spent nearly a year and a half filling out extensive paperwork to become eligible for adoption.
They even made two trips to Vietnam to meet and adopt Jack.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:26:20-32]

((YOU LOCK EYES AND YOU KNOW THIS IS YOUR BABY. I MEAN YOU UNDERTAKE ADOPTION I THINK WITH A LOT OF FAITH THAT SOMEWHERE OUT THERE IS NOT JUST A BABY BUT IT'S YOUR BABY. YOUR BABY IS OUT THERE FOR YOU. ))
[IN Q=You lock eyes]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=there for you.]


Big sister Meg has always wanted a little brother... biological or not.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:23:15-24]

((IT DIDN'T AT ALL MATTER WHO IT WAS, I JUST WANTED SOMEBODY I COULD LOVE AND TAKE CARE OF AND BE A BIG SISTER TO.))
[IN Q=It didn't at all]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=big sister to.]


Meg's little brother's birth name was Shoon, and his new family plans on teaching him all about his heritage through books, pictures and even Vietnamese christmas ornaments.
But as far as the Selby's are concerned, Jack was meant to be a part of their family half a world away... and adoption made that possible.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:33:30-40]

((IT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF AND JACK IS OUR PROOF OF THAT. ))(she kisses him and smiles)
[IN Q=It's something]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=proof of that.]


Jacey Birch, News Seven, Salem.)) [Stats] [12/10/2001] [CK/ESS]FIVE BACKGROUND
[CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET]
[SUPER=#583]VIEWERNET LOCATION


[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS WEATHER FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST
[WALK OVER FOR 2 SHOT TOSS]

[Tease#3]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Coming up
(-------------)

[VO] a little later, we'll tell you why one band feels making its videos is a piece of cake.
(-------------)


[Streaming Video]

[COMM-#3][5-Marketwatch]



[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Stock Market]


On Wall Street today, the markets stalled as investors waited to see if the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates tomorrow.
Trish Regan (REE-GAN) reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Trish Regan/CBS Marketwatch;]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=for News 7 at 5]



[S5-VMI]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-110 9:36]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]


VMI held an 11 AM news conference today to officially announce it's move to the Big South Conference. After a two year study, debate, and other considerations, VMI is ending a 77 year relationship with the Southern Conference. Steve Mason has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio ]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Donny White/VMI Athletic Director; :05]
[SUPER=01-Cal McCombs/VMI Football Coach; :30]
[SUPER=01-Bart Bellairs/VMI Basketball Coach; :50]
[SUPER=01-Kyle Kallander/Big South Commisioner; :58]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=.....News 7 sports"]
(--------------)


((Despite a dreary, rainy morning outside in Lexington, the atmosphere inside, was quite festive. ((DONNY WHITE:)) Big South schools are more similar to VMI in size, which, according the supporters of the move, will enable the Keydets to be more competitive in all sports. The last VMI Southern Conference football championship was back in 1977. Without eight conference football opponents, VMI can now pursue instate rivals. ((CAL MCCOMBS:)) Perhaps the move is best suited for basketball, which already has natural rivals in Big South members Radford and Liberty. ((:)) ((:))
VMI wrestling has won three out of the last six conference titles, but the Big South does not have wrestling. VMI will try and stay in the Southern in wrestling, while all other sports, including womens, go to the Big South over the next two years.))

((:))[S5-Stagg]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-101 15159TC]
[GRAPHIC=STAGG BOWL]


This coming Saturday night's Stagg Bowl in Salem promises to be the biggest thing to ever hit Division Three football.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater/Last Saturday;:00]

Thanks to Bridgewater College's win over Rowan last Saturday at Jopson Field the Stagg Party has some local flavor. So much so that Civic Center director Carey Harveycutter says Saturday night's game is sold out. Bridgewater College has sold all 1850 of its tickets in four hours. Salem is considering selling spots on the endzone hill. That will be decided later in the week.
(------------)


[5-cake]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=Five]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The group "Cake" is out with a new album and video. As Rebecca Rankin tells us, the band is trying something different with both.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rebecca Rankin/VH-1 Reporter; :00]
[SUPER=01-John McCrea/Cake;:18]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=I'm Rebecca Rankin.]

(("MUSIC VIDEO-ISM" IS THE TERM THAT CAKE USES TO DESCRIBE MANY OF TODAY'S CLICHE-HEAVY VIDEOS. THE SACREMENTO-BASED BAND HAVE ALWAYS AVOIDED TRENDS... BUT NOW THEY'RE TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS: FRONTMAN JOHN McCREA DIRECTED THE VIDEOS FROM THEIR LATEST ALBUM, "COMFORT EAGLE."
CAKE PACKAGE Sot:John McCrea of Cake: "We were trying to avoid having to make a music video where we had to lip sync in an urban decay setting."
CAKE HAVE ALWAYS FORGED THEIR OWN PATH... THEY WERE AN ANOMALY IN THE EARLY '90S, DURING THE GRUNGE EXPLOSION; THEY ARE MORE INFLUENCED BY COUNTRY AND JAZZ THAN METAL AND PUNK.
IN THEIR LATEST VIDEO, "LOVE YOU MADLY," CAKE STAGED THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE COOKING COMPETITION "THE IRON CHEF"... PITTING TRUMPET PLAYER VINCENT dee-fee-OR AGAINST DRUMMER PETE McNEAL.. LIKE "THE IRON CHEF," IT EVEN FEATURED CELEBRITY JUDGES.

(Sot: John McCrea of Cake )

"We got Rick James, Phyllis Diller, and Jeff Smith, the frugal gourmet to taste the food prepared by Vince and Pete. And it's a real competition."
THEY ALSO TOOK A UNIQUE APPROACH TO THE LAST VIDEO, FOR "SHORT SKIRT/LONG JACKET":
Sot:John McCrea of Cake "I sent a friend of mine out with a camera and a CD player and some headphones and uh...asked them to get people to listen to the song and give their honest opinion as they were listening to it."

(SCENES FROM THE VIDEO)

"Sounds hip! "I hate his delivery..." "I think I like it! More, more!"
CAKE AREN'T SURE WHAT THEY'LL DO IN THEIR NEXT VIDEO, BUT HERE'S WHAT YOU WON'T BE SEEING:

sot:John McCrea of Cake

"you know, fish eye lens shots of boobs and stuff, you know. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that or anything"
ON CAMERA TAG: FOR THE RECORD, McNEAL WON THAT COOKING CONTEST -- HE GOT A NEAR PERFECT 29.5 SCORE OUT OF 30, TO dee-fee-OR's 27. CAKE'S "COMFORT EAGLE" IS IN STORES NOW. IN NEW YORK, I'M REBECCA RANKIN. ))
[Close-ID] [5pm] SUPER=x4035; fax/copyright [SUPER=x4034;email/copyright]
by SS