THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140606
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
TODAY'S TV buzz:
You can sell a lot of burgers this way - I've heard from about a dozen readers who are offended by Rally's suggestive ``it's-not-the-size, it's-the-taste'' commercials promoting the Big Buford double cheeseburger.
These readers see more than a little sexual innuendo in the commercials, which feature babes in a convertible biting into a Big Buford and raving about how good it tastes.
``Most disgusting,'' said Betty H., a reader in Virginia Beach.
At Rally's headquarters in Chesapeake, a spokeswoman for the 10 stores in this area says she's heard ``a mixed bag'' of comments.
Some people hate the commercials while others think they're clever, said regional marketing manager Jay Hambright. Sales are up. So the commercials will continue.
Frankly, he'd rather have a paying job - Just because Duane Harding is volunteering as weather-expert-in-residence at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk these days doesn't mean he's given up on working in TV again. It's been two months since he was let go as WTKR's meteorologist, to the disappointment of thousands of viewers.
The resumes are in the mail, and Harding is hoping to find another job before his WTKR contract, with its pay and benefits, runs out in July. What about another local station hiring him when the contract expires? There has been some interest.
That can't happen until the end of 1996 because of a clause in his contract. The clause keeps Harding off another station in this market until six months after his WTKR contract expires.
They make remodeling the kitchen look so easy - When the Mid-Atlantic Home & Garden Show sets up at the Virginia Beach Pavilion next weekend, Dean Johnson and Robin Hartl of the PBS series ``Hometime'' will be there to show you how remodeling can be a breeze. Yeah, sure.
WHRO airs ``Hometime'' Saturdays at 8 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. See Johnson and Hartl do wonderful things with 2-by-4s.
The Home & Garden Show is from noon to 9 p.m. March 22, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 23 and noon to 6 p.m. March 24.
Think of it as the first sign of spring - Tim Reid, who found fame and fortune on TV after graduating from Norfolk State U., announced that his annual celebrity weekend fund-raiser at his alma mater will take place April 25-27.
The money goes into a scholarship fund.
No word yet on what big names will be on hand for the golf, tennis, soccer, gala, auction and black-tie dinner. Maybe Reid will invite the twins from his sitcom, ``Sister, Sister.''
Rednecks of the world, rejoice - Edna Watson in Chesapeake is among the readers to ask if and when Jeff Foxworthy's sitcom is returning to ABC. It will be back in May, says ABC in Los Angeles, and chances are good that the Foxworthy show will be renewed for next season.
It's among 16 shows that disappeared from network schedules this month. Several, such as ``Partners'' on Fox and ``High Society'' on CBS, may be gone for good.
Why shouldn't Foxworthy be back? He's the people's choice, according to an award he won on Sunday.
Foxworthy comes to town April 13 with a show at 8 p.m. at Hampton Coliseum. Tickets are $27.75 to $18.75, available at all Ticketmaster locations. Call 671-8100 to order.
What next? Wigs by Kimberly? - There is a ``Melrose Place'' unisex, spray-on body cologne on the market starting at $3, and no, it is not guaranteed to make you as irresistible as Billy, Amanda or Sydney. The only promise from the distributor is ``a fragrance that takes you there.''
Also coming: a ``Baywatch'' fragrance. MEMO: (If you want to reach out an' touch me, call Infoline at 640-5555, press
2486.)
by CNB