THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997 TAG: 9702130040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: By Larry Bonko, Television Writer
LENGTH: 82 lines
NOBODY ASKED ME, but. . .
I was floored when I heard that WTKR's LeAnne Rains had a big hit record. Then somebody set me straight. It's LeAnn Rimes who sings ``Blue.''
The best new show nobody watched in 1996 was ``Relativity'' on ABC.
I'm like totally surprised ABC named Arsenio Hall's new sitcom ``Arsenio.'' It premieres March 5.
It's great that Sharon Lawrence will soon have a sitcom of her own on NBC called ``Fired Up,'' but I'd like to see more of her on ``NYPD Blue.''
I can't be the only one who thinks it's too early for CBS affiliate WTKR to be promoting the network's coverage of 1998 Winter Olympics.
You've probably noticed that Carolyn Castleberry's short 'do with red highlights isn't all that's new about the WAVY co-anchor's on-air look. She's carrying a baby due in June.
After watching Hillary Rodham Clinton schmoozing and singing a number from ``Grease'' with Rosie O'Donnell, I anticipate a career in talk TV for the first lady when the Clintons leave the White House. She's great on the tube.
Lisa Simpson of ``The Simpsons'' has all but convinced me to become a vegetarian.
It must be February sweeps' silliness. If it weren't, would WVEC be doing stories about the fact people lie from time to time? Stop the presses!
My most guilty TV pleasure has always been ``Love Connection,'' seen weekdays at 2:30 p.m. on USA. Coming up fast on the GPM (Guilty Pleasure Meter) is the new ``Dating Game,'' which WGNT carries at 6 p.m.
I'll bet you didn't know that Montel Williams and your humble columnist have something in common. When Williams visited Portsmouth recently, he made this confession: ``I still fold my T-shirts and underwear in the exact same way I did when I was a Marine.'' I still do it the Navy way.
If giving out the ESPYs isn't the dumbest excuse for an awards show, it must be handing out the VH-1 fashion and music awards.
Andy Fox as WAVY's ``Road Rebel'' is either courageous or foolhardy when he stops motorists to give them a lecture about speeding. I'm surprised he hasn't been slugged by now.
The appeal of ``Cybill'' escapes me.
I'll confess. I take pleasure in listening to Amy Todd on local TV reporting on motorists bogged down in heavy traffic at the rush hour while I'm safe and snug at home in my La-Z-Boy.
The Fox network, hardly ever guilty of good taste, outdid itself on Super Bowl Sunday by having legit news anchor Catherine Crier set up the halftime show with a ``special report'' about the Blues Brothers breaking out of prison. Her credibility fell to zero.
The best description of HBO's Dennis Miller I've heard this year is this one: ``Cynicism grows on him like barnacles.''
I've lost my taste for old black and white movies. So, on cable I've switched from Turner Classic Movies to Encore.
If it weren't for Sherri Brennen's household tips on WVEC, I'd never get organized. Thanks, Sherri, for suggesting a lost-and-found basket for my closet. Want more tips? Call (800) 423-WVEC.
In the next century, all news on TV will be reduced to the ``Hard Copy'' minute.
I haven't decided if the E! channel's reenactments of the O.J. Simpson civil trial (no cameras in the courtroom) was daring, innovative TV or exploitative programming in poor taste.
Lots of the stuff on PBS puts me to sleep, but I stayed awake for ``Great Railway Journeys.''
And finally, if you're like me, and think ``Homeboys in Outer Space'' on UPN is a dumb show, you're probably not a male aged 18 to 34. WGNT says the Nielsens show ``Homeboys'' is more popular with young men here than ``NYPD Blue'' and ``Millennium.'' Go figure. MEMO: My Infoline number is 640-5555, press 2486. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ABC
Arsenio Hall will co-star with Viveca A Fox in ``Arsenio," a new
comedy series on ABC premiering March 5.
VP Graphic
PRIME-TIME RATINGS
Top 10 TV Shows
Source: Nielsen Media Research
For copy of graphic, see microfilm