THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506230060
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LARRY BONKO
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
TODAY'S LOCAL TV buzz:
Now that's what I call impressing your new bosses - With the New York Times Co. about to assume ownership of CBS affiliate WTKR in Norfolk, the station's hunky anchorman, Tom Randles, impressed the suits in Manhattan by winning a regional Emmy.
Randles, who is part of Channel 3's all-testosterone lineup on the 6 p.m. news, was among four broadcasters recently named outstanding anchors by the capital region National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
It is fast company.
Randles, working in the 40th largest U.S. TV market, shares the Emmy with Pat Lawson Muse, Gordon Peterson and Rae Blakey from stations in Washington, D.C., the seventh-largest market.
Also taking a bow at WTKR this week is Steven W. Landreth of the Robert James show ``Buz TV,'' the best-ever locally produced half-hour magazine. He won for editing.
The third Emmy for Hampton Roads belongs to Dru Doyle and Sheri Brennen, producers of WVEC's public affairs special ``Youth Violence: A Call to Disarm.''
No doubt about it. Tom Randles is Tom Terrific in the anchor chair. He reads news copy as well as anyone in the business. But when is he going to lift No. 3 WTKR's ratings?
While everyone is pulling for Christopher Reeve, the show must go on - At The Family Channel's new headquarters in Virginia Beach, a decision has been made about who will replace the hospital-bound Reeve in a miniseries to be shot overseas.
Armand Assante, soon to be seen with Sylvester Stallone in the film ``Judge Dredd,'' has been given Reeve's role in ``Kidnapped.''
The miniseries, based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, was scheduled to go before the cameras a few weeks ago. But plans changed after Reeve fell from a horse in Charlottesville on May 27 and suffered spinal injuries.
Assante is expected in Dublin on Monday to begin work on the miniseries, one of six original productions scheduled for the ``Hallmark Entertainment Family Showcase'' on the Family Channel.
More news from The Family Channel: Rita D. McClenny, who was director of the Virginia Film Office in Richmond, has been named director of corporate communications for the channel's parent company, International Family Entertainment.
There was one teeny little thing I left out - In reporting earlier this week that WAVY anchorman Les Smith was hurt in a traffic accident in Chesapeake last week, I forgot to mention that he was charged with reckless driving, according to a police spokesman. Ooops.
A seat belt and inflated airbag saved him from serious injuries.
And tell Montel that we still think of him as one of us - That very persuasive Lee Milteer of Virginia Beach, who is one of the best motivational speakers around, appears on the Montel Williams talk show on WAVY at 4 p.m. Monday. The subject is troubled teens.
Milteer will share her strategy for navigating these kids through life's stormy waters. Williams, who is beating Oprah Winfrey in the ratings in this market and others, including L.A., can talk salt-water taffy and soft-shell crabs with Milteer. He used to live in Virginia Beach.
She says it will be a sizzling half hour - It's always welcome news when a locally produced show is launched. I mean, look at the jobs it creates. Kymberli Martin of Hampton is the host of ``Discussions with Kymberli,'' premiering Wednesday at 1 p.m. on Fox affiliate WTVZ.
The format: entertainment and talk. ``Both serious and light-hearted topics,'' said Martin. WNSB (91.1) will bring her show to radio every Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Hey, Kymberli, here's a guest to consider - That Hollywood free spirit Charlie Sheen will soon be in Richmond to film a feature, ``The Shadow Conspiracy.'' When Sheen was making a movie about Navy SEALs here a few years ago, the actor said he'd like to work in Virginia again, and by gosh, here he is. by CNB