Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 15, 1993                   TAG: 9305150330
SECTION: SPECTATOR                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NEWSDAY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ARE ABC AND ITS TOP-RATED STAR ROSEANNE ARNOLD

In the wake of a much-publicized battle between Arnold and the network over the fate of "The Jackie Thomas Show," which starred her husband and which was canceled last week, it now appears that the battle is over.

Word was circulating through the TV industry Wednesday that the Arnolds had signed a deal with ABC to produce at least three series for the network over the next several years. ABC declined to comment Wednesday, but Ted Harbert, president of ABC Entertainment, said during a fall TV preview meeting for advertisers on Tuesday that the Arnolds "are very important to the network" and suggested that a big deal was imminent.

There was also speculation that ABC was trying to get an extension on its contract with the Arnolds that would allow it to air "Roseanne" - network TV's top-rated entertainment show - for at least another year. Right now, ABC has broadcast rights to air "Roseanne" through the 1994 season, but many expect CBS will make a bid to get in for the '95 season. Arnold herself, in a newspaper interview two weeks ago, said that she might take the show to CBS as soon as her contract with ABC expired.

CBS, meanwhile, is attempting - at least indirectly - to forge ties with the mercurial star. Tom Arnold is developing a series with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason for CBS. ("Roseanne" is produced by Carsey-Werner Productions.) During a CBS shareholder meeting Wednesday, CBS President Howard Stringer was asked if the network was trying to get its "feet in the door" with the Arnold/Bloodworth-Thomason show. "We just don't put our feet in the door," he replied. "We go in head first."