Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 23, 1993 TAG: 9303230058
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRAZIER MOORE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
GET LOST IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD
The word "anthology" evokes warm memories of TV's fabled Golden Age, the 1950s, when dramatic anthologies like "Playhouse 90" and "U.S. Steel Hour" reigned.The term also brings to mind less lofty yet much-beloved fare such as "Twilight Zone," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and the Ronald Reagan-hosted "General Electric Theater."
But for the past, oh, three decades or so, the anthology form has hung on mostly thanks to made-for-TV movies and short-lived series with "story" in their titles (remember "Ghost Story," "Medical Story," "Love Story," "Lifestories," "FBI: The Untold Stories" or "Amazing Stories"?).
Not that the term is used much anymore, even when it applies. Few words ("documentary"? "Delta Burke"?) approach the power of "anthology" to chase viewers away.
"The horrible A-word," shudders one TV producer who knows the full measure of its stigma.
Yet here comes "Tribeca," a new Fox series premiering tonight (at 9 on WJPR-Channels 21/27). Here is an anthology that wears the scarlet "A" boldly and with much-deserved pride.
The trouble with an anthology series is that, by definition, it is a collection of stories with little if any week-to-week flow, and with few if any recurring characters. This threatens the comfort level of viewers who depend on knowing what they are about to see before they see it.
Those viewers for whom lack of familiarity breeds contempt may therefore be thrown by "Tribeca."
Set (and shot) around the downtown Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca, the show dwells on contemporary tales of urban life. It features two regular characters - a mounted police officer (Joe Morton) and a restaurant owner (Philip Bosco) - who one week may loom large, then the next week recede into the background.
"Tribeca" makes no other sweeping promises to the viewer for how it will unfold. Formula just isn't part of its formula.
Instead, each hour promises to be a freestanding film, ranging from wrenching drama to fancy-free comedy. Each will evidence its own voice and look. Each will serve as a showcase for different "name" writers, directors and actors who in weeks ahead will include Eileen Brennan, Richard Lewis, Eli Wallach, Peter Boyle, Richard Kiley, Dizzy Gillespie, Betty Buckley, Bill Irwin and former New York City Mayor Edward Koch.
Speaking of names, "Tribeca's" executive producers include David J. Burke, who wrote, produced and directed "Wiseguy." Jane Rosenthal has been a top executive with Warner Bros. Television. And rounding out this threesome is a TV newcomer named Robert De Niro.
The premiere "Tribeca" segment is titled "The Box," featuring Larry Fishburne ("Boys N the Hood") and Carl Lumbly (CBS' "Going to Extremes") in a drama about a black man who learns wisdom from his brother from beyond the grave.
It is a touching hour that deals with human issues in unexpected ways.
And notice: In a cameo role is Melanie Mayron ("thirtysomething"), who a few weeks hence will be back to star in "Stepping Back," a wryly funny episode she also wrote and directed.
Also passing through is Stephen Lang ("Last Exit to Brooklyn") as a homeless man who happens to be the focus of next week's stirring, unforgettable episode, "Honor."
However diverse, the world of "Tribeca" is indeed a community.
To be part of it, viewers must visit. Say, this week.
Then they will have to be willing to tune in again next week, for what will be a much different hour of television. Then tune in the third week, for something equally different.
In short, for "Tribeca" to last, viewers will have to demonstrate a willingness to be surprised. Week after week.
Once again, Fox has brashly staked out new ground with its programming. But this time, the upstart network has gotten there on a high road seldom traveled by the medium.