Did you know . . .
- . . . that WKRP in Cincinnati is returning? MTM has announced it will make new episodes of the sitcom for first-run syndication."WKRP" was never a great ratings success on CBS - largely because the network moved put it into 12 different timeslots in its 1978-82 run - but has done well in syndication.
None of the original cast has signed on for a new stint yet, but with the exception of Gordon Jump as the Maytag repairman and Loni Anderson on game shows, have you seen much of any of them lately?
- . . . that KBYU isn't the only local PBS station concerned about nudity? KUED (Ch. 7) is moving Pasternak, a 90-minute film about the life of the author of "Doctor Zhivago" from April 9 at 8 p.m. to Thursday, April 12 at 10:35 p.m. because of one "brief" nude scene.
All you who've been making fun of KBYU for its prudishness, please take note.
- . . . that Beauty and the Beast will also soon be back on the air? And with some new episodes, sort of.
Starting in September, the Family Channel (formerly CBN) will carry reruns of the romantic fantasy. The cable channel tentatively plans to carry two episodes every Monday, and will include the three episodes paid for by never telecast by CBS.
The show will also be syndicated to stations around the country for broadcasting beginning in the fall of 1991, but so far none of the locals have announced plans to pick it up.
- . . . that things still haven't calmed down on the set of Roseanne? (Big surprise, huh?) Just a year after the volatile Ms. Barr forced the show's creator out as executive producer has quit.
Jeff Harris took out a full-page ad in Variety to announce his retirement, saying he and his wife "have decided to share a vacation in the relative peace and quiet of Beirut."
- . . . there will soon be another reason to keep you kids away from Saturday morning cartoons? ABC has announced that Little Rosey, about a 10-year-old Roseanne Barr, will premiere in September.
Boy, now there's a real role model for children.
- . . . former "Cagney and Lacey" star Sharon Gless is returning in a new CBS series, tentatively titled "Renewel." Gless, who was Christine Cagney, will portray a woman in her 40s who returns to the work force after a painful divorce. "C&L" executive producer Barney Rosenzweig will head up the new show.
- . . . that Live with Regis and Kathie Lee's Kathie Lee Gifford gave birth to a boy on March 22? She and husband 59-year-old husband Frank Gifford of "Monday Night Football" named the boy Cody. It's Kathie Lee's first, while Frank has three grown children from a previous marriage and five grandchildren.
- . . . that Diana Ross will make her first TV movie? She'll start production this fall on the life story of '20s singer Josephine Baker in a film for TNT. The Boss will also be the boss as executive producer.
- . . . that Pat Sajak recently renewed his contract and will remain as host . . . of the syndicated version of "Wheel of Fortune."
Maybe he realizes he won't have a job as a talk show host for much longer.
- . . . that even though this is the last season for "Newhart," we may not have seen the last of those wonderfully annoying yuppies Michael and Stephanie? There's talk that Peter Scolari and Julia Duffy may be spun off into their own series.
But without Bob Newhart around, who'll provide some shred of sanity?
- . . . that there are now two comedy channels on cable? MTV's HA! debuted on April Fools Day, appropriately enough, joining HBO's The Comedy Channel.
Of course, those of us in Utah aren't given either channel by our local cable companies.