Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 6, 1993 TAG: 9312040117
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Bettelou Peterson Knight-Ridder Newspapers
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Franklin, a Chicago native, got started with the Chicago-based Joseph Holmes Dance Company. At the same time, he started acting with various Chicago theater companies. He made his movie debut in "Fast Forward" in 1985. But his career didn't take off and he headed back to Chicago for more theater work. He made his TV debut in 1987 in "The Cosby Show." He was a regular in "Knightwatch," 1988-89.
Q: I just finished reading the John Jakes trilogy that began with "North and South." I would love to see the TV movie but can't find it on video. Will it be shown again on TV? - S.G., Southfield, Mich.
A: The first six-hour miniseries recently has been issued on tape. Retail price about $200. It's unlikely the first two "North and South" miniseries will be repeated again on the ABC network. Meantime, Part III is in production for telecast later this season. Kyle Chandler ("Homefront') will fill in for Patrick Swayze as Charles Main.
Q: We enjoy Swoosie Kurtz of "Sisters" and wonder how she came to be called Swoosie. - S.L., Temple City, Calif.
A: It's a much-told tale: It's her real name. Kurtz's father, Col. Frank Kurtz, was a decorated flyer in World War II. His plane, a B-17D, was named "The Swoose" (half swan, half goose). When his daughter was born in 1944, the nurse wrote Swoosie on the birth certificate and it stuck.
Q: What was the name of the first sitcom Tony Randall was in? I think he played a school teacher. - S.R., Evanston, Ill.
A: The first sitcom was "Mr. Peepers," the Wally Cox show that aired 1952-55. But Randall's first series was the TV version of the long-running radio serial, "One Man's Family," seen 1949-52.
Q: Where can I write the producers and writers of "In Living Color," particularly Keenan Ivory Wayans? - C.S., Romulus, Mich.
A: None of the Wayans family is involved in "Color" this season. Creator Keenan Ivory Wayans quit in a disagreement with the production company. Greg Fields, Les Firestein and Pam Veasey are the current executive producers. Write them: Fox Broadcasting Co., Box 500, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90213.
Q: In "Charlie's Angels," who played Charlie Townsend? What other shows has he been in? What has he been doing in recent years? - T.L.F., Wichita Falls, Texas.
A: Charlie Townsend was only a voice, that of John Forsythe. If you're thinking of the man who sent the Angels off on their cases, that was David Doyle, who played John Bosley. Doyle hasn't done a series since but has been seen often in various guest roles on TV.
Q: Was there a show called "Ponderosa"? If so, who played in it and when was it on? - Bound To Be Right, Norfolk, Va.
A: "Ponderosa" was the name given to "Bonanza" reruns when the show went into syndication while still in first run.
Q: What ever happened to the old "Amos and Andy" TV show? How come they have not had it in reruns? It was my favorite show. - D.L.L., West Jefferson, N.C.
A: The series, based on the radio characters, was seen 1951-53. Civil rights groups in the '60s protested the show as reinforcing objectionable stereotypes. After considerable pressure, "Amos and Andy" was withdrawn from circulation. It has turned up several times in bootleg copies but, in general, it is not available.
Q: Where can I write Katie Couric of "Today"? - L.B., Holt, Mich.
A: NBC-TV, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10112.
Q: We are trying to find out where "The Brady Bunch" was filmed. It's also rumored that Florence Henderson dated some cast members off the set. Is this true and who are they? - R.O., Philadelphia.
A: The Brady saga was filmed on a sound stage in Los Angeles. Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady, revealed in his book "Growing Up Brady" that he had a crush on Henderson. One day, he asked her out and she accepted. Williams was 15 at the time. He took her to dinner and a show, but that was it.
by CNB