Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 13, 1994 TAG: 9407150058
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LYNN ELBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Long
He figures that's roughly the amount of TV fare worthy of being considered each year for a Humanitas Prize, founded 20 years ago by Kieser to recognize soul-enriching TV writing.
The proportions have remained about the same over the decades: 10 percent admirable; 90 percent OK, forgettable or downright regrettable.
But Kieser, a TV and film producer himself and shepherd to devoutly secular Hollywood, believes that the best television has gotten better: more sophisticated, more illuminating, more truthful.
This year's $120,000 in prizes from the nondenominational Human Family Educational and Cultural Institute, which Kieser heads, will be given in seven categories Thursday in a non-televised ceremony. A new category has been added to recognize worthy films.
``It's a serious award; it's not a glamour award,'' and a prestigious honor for writers, said ``NYPD Blue'' creator Steven Bochco, a past Humanitas winner.
The benchmark for excellence this year was set by dramas, Kieser says, including ``NYPD Blue,'' ``Picket Fences'' and ``Law & Order.''
``They are, first, very creative. Number two, they are dealing with real human problems. They're asking all the right questions. And they're doing it in a highly entertaining way but making the audience think.''
In a nutshell, that's the kind of TV the Humanitas Prize was created to foster.
That can mean gritty realities are splayed across the screen, and Kieser welcomes that. Even occasional excess - when a program's heart and soul are in the right place - is forgiven.
Take ``NYPD Blue,'' for instance, damned by the conservative Rev. Donald Wildmon for its raw language and occasional nudity.
``I don't want to be in the position of defending everything they do, but I think `NYPD Blue' by and large is on the side of the angels,'' Kieser said. ``It's a very compassionate look at troubled people, flawed people, trying to do a job in an imperfect world.''
So what's a nice, spiritual guy like Kieser doing in a town like Hollywood?
A firm believer in preaching to the unconverted, Kieser joined Catholicism's Paulist order because it concentrates on reaching out to people outside the church.
``We want to go where we feel the need is the greatest. Hollywood is very secular, so that's where we should be,'' he said.
He takes a hands-on approach to media as well. For 23 years he produced the TV program ``Insight,'' which evolved into a drama showcase and ``Hollywood's experimental theater,'' as he describes it.
His production company's first film was ``Romero'' (1989), starring Raul Julia as the assassinated archbishop of El Salvador; more movies, TV movies and shows are planned.
But the heartfelt work that comes out of Hollywood doesn't have a prayer if audiences scorn it in favor of fluff, Kieser cautions.
``The ultimate culprit in a way is the viewer, because if they support good stuff, the industry will give them good stuff. The American people too often want escapism rather than an insightful exploration of reality.''
How good can it get? Here are the writers and their projects named Humanitas finalists by the institute's board, which also decides winners:
Two-hour prime-time TV movies: ``David's Mother,'' Bob Randall, CBS; ``Out of Darkness,'' Barbara Turner, ABC; ``There are No Children Here,'' Bobby Smith Jr., ABC.
Sixty-minute prime time programs: ``Abominable Snowmen'' episode, ``Picket Fences,'' David E. Kelley, CBS; ``Personal Foul'' episode, ``NYPD Blue,'' Burton Armus, David Milch, ABC; ``Sanctuary'' episode, ``Law & Order,'' Michael S. Chernuchin and William N. Fordes, NBC.
Thirty-minute prime time programs: ``Edith Ann: A Few Pieces of the Puzzle,'' Jane Wagner, ABC; ``Amends'' episode, ``The John Larroquette Show,'' Don Reo and Judith D. Allison, NBC; ``Reaper Madness'' episode, ``Murphy Brown,'' Rob Bragin, CBS; ``The Good Son'' episode, ``Frasier,'' David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee, NBC.
PBS-Cable TV programs: ``And the Band Played On,'' Arnold Schulman, HBO; ``State of Emergency,'' Susan Black and Lance Gentile, HBO; ``Strapped,'' Dena Kleiman, HBO.
Children's Live Action programs: ``If I Die Before I Wake'' episode, ``CBS Schoolbreak Special,'' Susan Rohrer; ``Love in the Dark Ages'' episode, ``CBS Schoolbreak Special,'' Joseph Maurer; ``Montana Crossroads'' episode, ``ABC Afterschool Special,'' Marilyn Weber, Regge Bulman.
Children's Animation programs: ``American Heroes and Legends: Johnny Appleseed,'' James Howard Kunstler, Showtime; ``Madeline and the 40 Thieves,'' Martha Moran, Family Channel; ``Madeline and the Missing Clown,'' Bruce Shelly and Reed Shelly, Family Channel.
Feature films: ``In the Name of the Father,'' Terry George and Jim Sheridan; ``Schindler's List'' and ``Searching for Bobby Fischer,'' both by Steven Zaillian, and ``Shadowlands,'' William Nicholson.
by CNB