Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 20, 1993 TAG: 9309210255
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: GAIL SHISTER KNIGHT-RIDDER/TRIBUNE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``Jerry sent me a script and wrote me a note saying he'd love me to do it,'' Humble Gumbel said last week. ``He made it easy on me, shooting in our studio.'' The episode, ``The Puffy Shirt,'' airs Thursday on NBC, with Gumbel, as himself, interviewing a strangely clad Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) on ``Today.''
Though not a regular ``Seinfeld'' watcher, Gumbel says the sitcom ``gets positive critical comments, and deservedly so.'' Until ``Seinfeld,'' Gumbel nixed all guest-shot requests for entertainment shows.
``My first priority is always `Today,' and I don't want the distraction. My general feeling is I don't like the cult of celebrity that's attendant to doing what we do. Anything that encourages that, I'm against. That may be hypocritical because I went and did this.''
Katie Couric says it's way cool that her co-anchor is going Hollywood. Despite frequent appearances to the contrary, Gumbel ``actually has a sense of humor down deep, hidden somewhere. He's a funny guy, though some of his humor is only suitable for the locker room.
``I'm sort of Bryant's Gracie Allen. I bring out his humor. I can always see Bryant saying to me, `Say goodnight, Gracie,' and I'd say, `Goodnight, Gracie.'''
Couric's one - and only - sitcom appearance was two seasons ago on CBS's ``Murphy Brown.'' She turned down another ``Murphy'' pitch. ``The writers called and said they wanted to use my name in a situation. I thought it would be overkill. At that point, the show had become too political.''
Couric says a newsperson's crossing the line into entertainment is fine ``if you only do it a couple of times. After that, it could hurt your credibility. But it's a fun experience and you can be seen by millions of people. I'm a frustrated actress, anyway.''
And a tired one. With Couric anchoring the new newsmagazine ``Now'' live with Tom Brokaw Wednesdays at 9 p.m., she doesn't get to sleep until midnight. Rising at 5 a.m. for ``Today'' means Thursdays are her toughest day.
``It's a killer, frankly,'' she says. ``On Thursdays, I just put more spackle on my face and drink more coffee. Then I start getting really giddy about 8:30. I was tired before. I'm more tired now. It's a lot to handle. Some days it feels like too much. That's the same with everybody's job.''
Back to Gumbel. A former NBC sportsguy and lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he predicts the Phillies will hold on to win the National League East ``because the calendar is on their side.''
He picks the Chicago White Sox (the lifelong love of his brother, CBS' Greg Gumbel) to reach the World Series, where they'll lose to Atlanta. ``The Braves are the best team in baseball. They have the kind of pitching that can dominate a series.''
As for predicting his own future, Gumbel, who turns 45 on Sept. 29, is less definite.
His three-year NBC contract is up at the end of '94. At that point, he will have hosted ``Today'' for 12 years. ``NBC has been very kind to me. They've said, basically, `Do what you'd like to do.' On good days, that means `Today.' On bad days, I'd rather be playing golf.''
Speaking of Seinfeld, he'll join Sharon Stone, Dennis Miller and Boyz II Men, among others, on ``Baseball Relief: An All-Star Comedy Salute,'' a Fox special to benefit Comic Relief's national pediatric care program for homeless children.
``Baseball,'' to be taped Oct. 2 in Pasadena, Calif., will air at 9 p.m. Oct. 15 - on the eve of the World Series. (Nice touch.) Baseball great Willie Mays will be honored with a special tribute. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda will be there.
\ Short stuff
Tracey Ullman's first HBO solo special - ``Tracey Ullman: Takes on New York'' - will debut Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. Guest stars include: Dan Castellaneta, Blythe Danner, Jill Eikenberry, Michael York and New York talker Joe Franklin. Another HBO special, ``Tracey Ullman: A Class Act,'' follows in November ... Kathie Lee Gifford returns from maternity leave today to the syndicated ``Live With Regis & Kathie Lee'' ... Day for night: ``Today'' weatherguy Willard Scott visits Jay Leno's ``Tonight Show'' tonight - his first ``Tonight'' appearance in 12 years ... NBC is hunting for a replacement for ``Later'' host Bob Costas. Costas, with ``Later'' since its August '88 launch, is leaving the show after his contract expires Dec. 31. A Costas spokeswoman says he intends to stay at NBC; no word on his next gig ... The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has signed a deal with the three major networks to carry the Daytime Emmy Awards in prime time, beginning in '94 with ABC. NBC has it in '95, CBS in '96.
by CNB