THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
IF TIM ALLEN of ``Home Improvement'' quit the ABC series for a career in motion pictures when his contract is up in a year or so, who could blame him?
To the surprise of just about everyone in this town who makes movies - and that's virtually half the population - Allen the TV guy became Mr. Box Office after appearing in ``The Santa Clause'' for Disney late in 1994. While Arnold and Sly and Tom Cruise flopped in recent films, Allen crashed through in a flick that's earned $130 million for the studio.
It isn't supposed to happen so easily, they'll tell you in Hollywood. First you pay your dues. You struggle. Then you get the big break. Maybe. You're not supposed to make it look easy.
But that is what Allen did. He took a script about an ordinary guy who suddenly evolves into Santa Claus and sold millions of tickets. He's no actor. He's a stand-up comic.
He's from TV, not the films. He's a convicted felon - Allen served 28 months on a drug charge - who could have been rejected by moviegoers.
``The Santa Clause'' never should have been a smash, but it was, and now the scripts are piled knee-deep in the Allen household. Fans who are devoted to ``Home Improvement,'' which regularly trades the No. 1 spot in the prime time ratings with ``Seinfeld,'' are worried that Allen will quit the show and become a movie person.
It's happened before. Just as ``NYPD Blue'' got rolling on ABC, David Caruso quit to star in films. The list of actors who thought they had outgrown TV is a fairly long one.
Remember Shelley Long?
Well, you can relax. While meeting with TV writers here this week, Allen said the TV series is No. 1 with him. ``This show is what I am really interested in doing now,'' he said.
``The Disney people want me to quickly do a sequel to `The Santa Clause,' for which I have absolutely no appetite. I don't want to work in a film ever again.
``I don't want to get into a Santa fat suit ever again. I don't want to work with animals ever again. I don't want to be involved with special effects ever again. I did the movie because I had never done one before.''
But it wasn't all bad, said Allen. The movie folk feed you well and provide a comfy trailer to live in between takes.
He said he prefers to return to stand-up comedy when the sitcom is on hiatus, to take his act out on the road again as Jerry Seinfeld did when ``Seinfeld'' began taking off. Not only did Allen have a mega-hit on TV last year, and a movie that grossed more than $130 million. He also wrote a best-selling book.
Allen said he is thinking about taking the material in that book and developing it into a three-act play.
``I'd like to bring it to life,'' he said.
But not anytime soon. ``Home Improvement'' must go on, building up episodes for syndication that will bring a deal worth millions. Allen - taller than he looks on the tube, and acting gracious to nosy TV writers while looking eminently relaxed - will do 26 episodes this year. Lots of work. He appeared in his official ``Home Improvement'' windbreaker.
But he promises to find time for another book. ``Something on particle physics . . . ''
Allen is aboard ``Home Improvement'' for as long as the show runs. You know the run is ending when the character from behind the fence, Earl Hindman, comes out and shows himself. That's the sign that ``Home Improvement'' is over, said the series' creators.
Figure it to happen in 2001 or so. MEMO: Television Columnist Larry Bonko is in Los Angeles for the twice-yearly
Television Critics Association meeting.
by CNB