Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 12, 1991 TAG: 9103120205
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA LENGTH: Short
"Alien Nation" is on at 7:30, followed by "L.A. Law." The big decision comes at 9:30 with a choice of "Twin Peaks," "Jake and the Fatman" and "In the Heat of the Night."
That's just a sampling of what Australian viewers face every day and night -lots of American imports blended in with a few locally produced series and a ton of sports: cricket, rugby, tennis, Australian rules football.
It's not a big deal, except for getting used to that funny American accent and slang while watching all the cars drive on the wrong side of the road.
Episodes from U.S. series find their way into the schedule several months after they first air in the States. That's because the "fall" schedule Down Under starts in February, when summer vacations end and the kids go back to school.
Some of the imports arrive amid much fanfare.
"Twin Peaks" was hyped with full-page newspaper ads that asked the burning question "Who killed Laura Palmer?" Maybe it's best not to tell folks here that they won't find out anytime soon.
by CNB