THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504280081
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LARRY BONKO
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
COME MAY 15, IN the midst of the spring ratings sweeps, Will Smith's character on ``The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' will marry his squeeze, Lisa, played by Nia Long. Might that be the finale of the series, now in its fifth season on NBC?
After conquering the world of pop music - Smith teamed with Jeff Townes as the Grammy award-winning rap act called D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - Smith clicked in feature films this year with ``Bad Boys.'' The movie reached No. 1 at the box office.
Might the TV screen be too small to hold this rising star? Not for a little while, said the actress who plays Aunt Vivian on ``The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.'' Daphne Maxwell Reid, who is in Norfolk today with her husband to co-host the Tim Reid Celebrity Weekend at Norfolk State University, expects NBC to renew the series for the 1995-96 season with new bridegroom Will.
It's still big with viewers of all ages, from teens to people pushing 50. Would NBC dare pull a show that beats ``Melrose Place'' in its time period?
``There's nothing official,'' said Reid, ``but I expect to be doing another season with Will.''
Reid invited Smith to be in Norfolk to take part in the weekend of tennis, golf, a movie premiere, gala and auction, black-tie dinner and concert featuring Regina Belle and Jerry Butler. Gerald D. Tyler, director of the Office of University Relations at Norfolk State, said Smith's appearance in Norfolk has been confirmed. ( A spokesman for NBC in Burbank, Calif. said she couldn't say for sure if Smith will be in Norfolk this weekend. Same story from Smith's West Coast publicist, Lisa Reeder).
Well, we can hope.
Among other celebrities listed to appear and mingle with the locals are Alfonso Ribeiro and James Avery of ``Fresh Prince''; Frank Bonner, who played Herb Tarlek when Tim Reid was Venus Flytrap on ``WKRP in Cincinnati''; actors Richard Roundtree, John Witherspoon and Bernie Casey; actresses Debbie Morgan, Ashanti Nailah Blaize; and a smattering of politicians and professional athletes.
In four previous celebrity events held at his alma mater, Reid helped raise about $400,000 for a scholarship fund. This year, the four-day event has been expanded to include more sports, the movie premiere (``Once Upon a Time . . . When We Were Colored'') plus the concert and auction.
This is how her husband is re-paying a debt to Norfolk State, said Daphne Maxwell Reid. ``It is the school that nurtured and guided Tim and helped him find his way in the marketplace,'' she said. ``He feels that attending Norfolk State opened the way to success in his life.''
Tim Reid says amen to that, adding, ``This is my opportunity to give something back to my alma mater which gave me so much.''
And what success it has been for Reid, who may be the nicest guy in show business. He grew up in old Norfolk County, which is now Chesapeake.
While other actors scramble for work, Reid is always in demand, if not in a series with his wife (``Snoops,'' ``Frank's Place'') then in a series without kinfolk. He had a long run with ``WKRP in Cincinnati,'' and may be on TV when he's old and gray with his new series on ABC. ``Sister, Sister'' looks secure for years to come.
The Tim Reid Celebrity Weekend continues today with golf in Newport News, the president's gala on the Norfolk State campus, and then picks up Saturday at 9 a.m. with celebrity tennis.
Hope to see you at the net, Will Smith. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
MORE INFO
The Tim Reid Celebrity Weekend is at NSU today through Sunday.
For tickets and information, call 683-8323.
by CNB