THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 12, 1995 TAG: 9509120044
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
TODAY'S LOCAL TV news served in bite-sized portions:
``Buz TV'' has been told to buzz off - It was perhaps the hippest, most entertaining, best-produced local TV show ever, and now it's history. ``Buz TV'' on WTKR, which won two regional Emmys, will not be returning to Channel 3 this fall.
The reason: The ratings weren't high enough to justify the cost of producing the show about local happenings in music, fashion and food. Robert James hosted the show inspired by MTV - quick cuts, unusual camera angles and breathless banter.
It aired Saturday nights at 11:30 against tough competition, ``Saturday Night Live.''
``I'm very disappointed the show got yanked,'' said James, who ``buzed'' around WTKR for 2 1/2 years. ``It has been a tremendous experience.'' James is taking a double hit here. He is also out as WTKR's entertainment reporter.
If only he were as indispensable to the CBS affiliate as the station's crusty ol' anchorman, Ed Hughes.
Hughes, who is co-anchor on the 5 p.m. newscast and soon to be the editorial voice of the station's new management, recently signed a new three-year contract. He's been at the station for 20-plus years - before videotape.
These announcements came from general manager Elden A. Hale Jr.
Think of this column as the complaint department - Ava Jones, a reader in Norfolk, asks if I ever watch WAVY's noon and 5 p.m. newscasts. ``If you do,'' Jones writes, ``have you noticed a very annoying and distracting element? I mean the parade of Channel 10 employees in the background as the newscast is unfolding. If I wanted to see people strolling, I'd go to the mall.''
What you don't understand, Ava, is that WAVY is striving to give you the feel of a busy newsroom, the hum of a machine grinding out the news and the pulse and heartbeat of reporters challenging deadlines. See Bruce Rader in shirtsleeves! Could anything be more exciting?
And while we're listening to complaints, let's hear this one - Rhonda Smith in Norfolk says there should be a law against commercials on cable channels. ``It really gets on my nerves to have to sit through an endless string of commercials on channels I'm paying to get. Even a classy cable channel like CNBC runs commercials. It makes me feel like I'm paying twice. That really gripes me.''
Dear Rhonda: There are commercial-free channels on basic cable such as The Disney Channel, American Movie Classics, Bravo and Turner Classic Movies. And yes, there are a lot of other cable channels that grind out the commercials. That is why God created the ``mute'' button.
And what better time than now to bring up WJCB's commercials - Through a large portion of the broadcast day, WJCB in Hampton is the home of infomercials for the Dial-O-Matic food slicer, Sonicare plaque remover and other products. The ``Infomall.''
Do the commercials ever end? Yes. Once in a while. Channel 49 recently hitched up with America One Television, a service with old movies, kids' shows, some news and sports.
From 8 to 9 a.m. on weekdays, WJCB airs ``Kids Classics'' and ``Children's Room.'' The old Westerns start up nightly at 2 a.m.
And there is local programming on Channel 49 including ``Splash Tee Vee,'' an hour of hip-hop and rhythm and blues videos Saturday night at 6 p.m.
I swear, with six network affiliates, a PBS station, plus independents WJCB in Hampton and WPEN, also on the Peninsula, we have more local stations than just about any other TV market in the U.S. How do you ever get your kids to stop watching and do their homework? by CNB