Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9411260003
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GAIL SHISTER KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's supposed to be top-secret, but the hang-dog (human) star of big-screen hits ``Beethoven'' and ``Beethoven's 2nd'' is this close to signing a deal with cable's CNBC to replace acerbic CBS-bound talker Tom Snyder.
Snyder's contract with the NBC-owned network runs through January, but New York sources say he's expected to leave his L.A.-based gig after Thanksgiving. (His post-David Letterman ``Late Late Show'' will air out of New York, probably beginning in January.) Snyder reruns will occupy his 10-to-11 p.m. CNBC slot through December, sources say.
Grodin, 59, whose sad-sack face and deadpan humor have made him a hot ticket on the late-night circuit, was about to sign a talk-show deal with syndicator King World, sources say, but it fell through at the eleventh hour. CNBC got into the chase a few weeks ago, they add.
A CNBC spokesman last week confirmed that the network was talking to Grodin ``as well as other people.''
He wouldn't say who, but CNBC insiders say the list includes funny guy David Brenner and NBC's Mike Schneider. (Schneider, co-anchor of the weekend ``Today'' shows, has made no secret of his unhappiness on the Dawn Patrol.)
Grodin, a Pittsburgh native, debuted on Broadway in 1962, breaking into film six years later with ``Rosemary's Baby.'' The Elaine May protege got his break-out role as a romantic heel in her 1972 feature, ``The Heartbreak Kid.'' He was also memorable in Warren Beatty's ``Heaven Can Wait'' (1978) and ``Midnight Run'' (1988), starring Robert DeNiro.
Grodin, also a writer and director, stepped into the shaggy-dog end of the movie business with a starring role in 1992's box-office smash ``Beethoven,'' followed by ``Beethoven's 2nd'' last year.
In both ``Beethoven'' flicks, Grodin plays the flustered father of an all-American suburban clan with a slobbering St. Bernard. Bonnie Hunt co-stars as his long-suffering wife. (Is there any other kind?)
Anita Hill will discuss her life during and after the 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas on Nov. 2 on ABC's ``Turning Point.''
Correspondent Michel McQueen reports the story, part of a two-year investigation into the firestorm surrounding the Thomas nomination and hearings. Also included: an exclusive interview with Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson, authors of ``Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas'' (Houghton Mifflin).
How hot is ``Strange Justice?'' Well, it's a finalist for a National Book Award and it hasn't even been published yet. ``Strange'' hits the stands Nov. 3. McQueen, formerly with the Wall Street Journal, had some nifty connections on this one - the authors are both Journal reporters.
The cast of NBC's ``Seinfeld'' received a surprise brunch last week, complete with apron-clad Warren Littlefield, the network's entertainment chief, serving the bagels and lox. (Sounds like a good ``Seinfeld'' episode.)
The buffet - the first such event for an NBC show this season - was rolled out at Wednesday's script reading as a thank you for ``Seinfeld's'' outstanding ratings, a network spokesman says. In its sixth season, the Jerry Seinfeld sitcom ranks No. 2 on the Nielsen hit parade among households. It's tops among 18-to-49-year-olds, the demographic advertisers love.
NBC execs Rick Ludwin and Todd Schwartz joined Littlefield behind the buffet. Littlefield - ``who looks quite good in an apron,'' says the spokesman - is not considering a career in food service. With NBC's surprising strength this fall, ``I don't think he needs it.''
Emma Samms, best known as Fallon Carrington on ``Dynasty'' and ``The Colbys,'' will join Fox's ``Models Inc.
The former'' General Hospital star debuts Nov. 23 as Grayson Louder, long-lost wife of Adam (James Wilder). Grayson kind of puts a damper on the romance between Adam and Monique (Stephanie Romanov) when she suddenly shows up at the couple's engagement party. (I hate when that happens.)
``The Rockford Files: I Love L.A.,'' with James Garner reprising his NBC role as laid-back private eye Jim Rockford, will air Nov. 27 on CBS. ``L.A.,'' the first in a series of ``Rockford'' TV movies, co-stars Joanna Cassidy in the new character of defense attorney Kit Kittredge, Rockford's ex-wife. Cassidy appeared with Garner in HBO's award-winning drama ``Barbarians at the Gate.'' In ``Rockford,'' Stuart Margolin reprises his role as Angel Martin, with Joe Santos returning as Detective Dennis Becker.
by CNB