THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 1995 TAG: 9512050051
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
LOCAL TV news and notes to consider while you decide if you like the new feathery 'do unveiled by WVEC co-anchor Cynthia Lima last week:
Is this one lucky dude or what? - Just weeks after Fox canceled his sitcom, ``Misery Loves Company,'' Norfolk actor-writer-director Stephen Furst landed a role on the CBS medical drama ``Chicago Hope.''
And he still has a continuing role as Vir, aide to Centauri ambassador Londo Mollari on the syndicated science-fiction series ``Babylon 5.'' The Centaurians are the ones with the weird hair - ostriches in outer space.
Furst, speaking from his home in Moorpark, Calif., said he didn't have to audition for the role on ``Chicago Hope,'' the ``ER'' wannabe. The producers came to him, which is no surprise.
``They're the same guys who produced `St. Elsewhere,' '' said Furst. Furst had a nice run on ``St. Elsewhere,'' playing emergency room physician Dr. Elliot Axelrod from 1983 through 1988. This time around, he's playing another doctor named Elliott.
And this time around, he's a vet.
Furst said he shows up for the first time on ``Chicago Hope'' next Monday. ``It was a one-day shoot,'' he said. If Furst's character clicks, he could become a series regular.
If so, when will he find time to work on ``Babylon 5'' and his third series - Howie Mandel's ``Sunny Skies'' on Showtime? Same way he found time to work on those two shows plus ``Misery Loves Company.''
Forget sleep.
Furst never has been the struggling, starving actor. He got work almost from the moment he arrived in Hollywood from Norfolk, towing his belongings in a U-Haul trailer. A role in ``Animal House'' in 1978 opened the doors for Furst.
The next time, let's throw Richard Simmons into the mix - One minute she's in Hampton, dining with her parents on Thanksgiving. The next minute, she's in Malibu cruising with Sean Penn.
Tabitha Soren of MTV has such a great life.
While she's no Barbara Walters, Soren does OK for herself on ``The MTV Interview,'' which the cable channel premieres tonight at 10 p.m. She wasn't shy when asking Penn about life with Madonna.
What was it like?
``Loud.''
What do you think of her today?
``I'm very fond of Madonna. I see her infrequently. When we do get together, it's a hoot.''
You expect a rebel like Penn to show up on MTV to chat with Soren. Same story with ``gangsta'' rapper Tupac Shakur. Both know about jail time. Both are heroes to the MTV generation.
But who'd expect to see PLO leader Yasser Arafat schmoozing with Soren on MTV?
He's part of ``The MTV Interview'' during which Soren asks if new father Arafat was a swinging bachelor before marrying late in life. He said yes. Wow! MTV's ``Singled Out'' could have used him.
Arafat also confided his love of movies (westerns) and cars (Thunderbirds). Soren on Dec. 15 co-hosts MTV's ``Year in Rock.''
Arafat is not scheduled to appear.
Let's just declare it Dallas country - Who wants to be part of the Washington Redskins' TV universe anyway? Some readers ask now that the practically-next-door Carolina Panthers are in business, playing better football than the Redskins, why can't this be Carolina TV country?
Because Hampton Roads is a TV market closer to Washington, D.C., than where the Panthers play today (Clemson, S.C.) or will play next year (Charlotte, N.C.). ``The Redskins' games will be a priority in the Norfolk market until you have an NFL team of your own,'' said a National Football League spokesman.
In other words, this is Redskins' country forever and ever. Bummer. MEMO: (Call in your questions, comments, gripes and compliments about TV to me
on Infoline at 640-5555, Category 3333).
by CNB