ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995 TAG: 9512220016
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW YORK
SOURCE: SCOTT WILLIAMS ASSOCIATED PRESS
``Homicide'' can be murder.
``It was scary to come in at first,'' said Reed Diamond, who joined the cast of NBC's police drama in its fourth nerve-wracking season. He plays rookie homicide detective Mike Kellerman.
``We film in Baltimore, of course, and that's so far from any watchful eye that things can get a little wild. I'd never been on a set like that before,'' Diamond said.
``Then I saw the first episode, and I said. `Oh, yeah. This IS the best show on television.''
Juilliard-trained Diamond had always wanted to play a policeman, and even toyed with the idea of becoming an L.A. cop. He soon dismissed the idea: ``All the cops I met wanted to be actors,'' he said.
In Mike Kellerman, Diamond said, ``Homicide'' gets a character who's a counterpoint to the broody, philosophical Detective Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher).
``Andre refers to his character as `an avenger for God.' Mike is out there to make the world safe for kids and little old ladies,'' Diamond said. ``He acts and he speaks before he thinks. That's his virtue.''
Diamond was worried that Kellerman might not make it with hard-core ``Homicide'' fans. ``A lot of people are not only very strong fans, but they're also very possessive of the show,'' he said.
He knew he was OK after that first episode aired. ``A lot of cops have been coming up to me and saying, `I believe you. You look like a cop.' ''
Reed Diamond positively beams at the accolade.
So, too, does actor Kyle Secor, when complimented for his work as Detective Tim Bayliss, the first ``new guy'' in the murder squad. Bayliss is at once the squad's sweetest, most sensitive guy - and its hothead, capable of appalling violence.
``I approach each episode as if it's a brand-new movie,'' Secor said. ``I don't know anything that Bayliss did beforehand or what he's going to do after this. This is the truth of his life right now.''
``It's a lot more fun to play it that way, and it's a lot more fun for the writers to write that way,'' Secor said. ``Then I can suggest things.''
For example, when a scene called for a skinhead to say something abusive to his partner, Pembleton, Secor spoke up: ``I said, `Why don't I break his nose?'
``The director, Peter Weller, brilliant guy, says, `How would you do that?' `With my knee.' `Great, great, that's how we'll do it.' '' Whack.
Pre-empted this week by ``The Sound of Music,'' ``Homicide'' returns Dec. 29 with an encore of its first episode. On Jan. 5, a two-parter titled ``Sniper'' begins.
Then, just in time for the February ratings sweep, on Feb. 7 detectives Pembleton and Bayliss ``crossover'' as guest stars on NBC's ``Law & Order,'' concluding their story back in Baltimore, on the Feb. 9 ``Homicide.''
The New York ``crossover'' and the ``Law & Order'' production style was a weird trip for Secor, who has grown accustomed to the balletic, hand-held camera moves of Jean De Segonzac, the director of photography.
``I just completely forgot what it's like to work with a camera that's on dollies!'' said Secor.
``Homicide'' is in its fourth season, having survived hiatus and near-cancellation. It has been the recipient of two Emmys, a Peabody Award, two Writers Guild Awards and lavish praise from the critics; until now, though, it lacked an audience.
So far this year, the show's household ratings are up 25 percent. The increase is even more striking among the ``key demos'': It's up 35 percent among adults ages 18-49; up 48 percent among men 18-49.
Only ``ER,'' TV's top-rated series, has attracted more new viewers this season. Secor thinks he may have an explanation beyond ``that word of mouth thing.
``Maybe the people out there think we're doing something that's good, good for their hearts or their souls. Maybe it's in how we portray the victims of crime, or how we respond to horror of it,'' Secor said.
``And, remember, most of the time, we're not being anything more than people who are just trying to get through their day.''
LENGTH: Medium: 79 linesby CNB