Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 204

Triple treat caters to market V7 v- i rr I 1 1 Laura Robinson stars as Veronica in Veronica Clare on Lifetime on Tuesdays. Women also figure prominently in the lead roles of Confessions of Crime and The Hidden Room. Lifetime Women are focus of Lifetime cable's original shows By Bonnie Baker The Arizona Republic Lifetime, known as cable television's network for women, launches its first original night of programming Tuesday with three new shows that uphold that premise. Women figure prominently in the lead roles of Confessions of Crime, The Hidden Room and Veronica Clare. "In addition, we will continue to seek the talents of women for writing, producing and directing and other production capacities as we have done in the past," said Pat Fili, senior vice president of programming and production for Lifetime.

The two-hour block of shows isn't bad, either. 'Confessions of Crime' Theresa Saldana hosts Confessions of Crime at 6 p.m., a reality series that "journeys into the criminal mind" by re-creating actual crimes. "We attempt to unravel the mystery of why violent crimes occur," said Saldana, who was brutally stabbed by a stranger nine years ago. "Could knowing what was going through his mind have prevented if?" This show suggests, yes, maybe. Participating in Confessions of Crime are victims, police, psychologists and other experts in the field.

The first episode details why an abused wife stabbed her husband to death. A warning airs before Confessions of Crime suggesting that it might not be appropriate viewing for all family members. 'The Hidden Room' The Hidden Room, an anthology series airing at 6:30 p.m., focuses on issues facing women" particularly their struggles with family, love, tragedy and the unknown. Alice Krieg stars in the first episode called Dream Child. Krieg appears as a woman "empty inside" who cannot recover from the grief of giving birth to a stillborn baby.

In her tortured dreams she meets a young boy. Who is this child? Is he supposed to represent her dead child? Krieg begins to wonder if "perhaps all children and mothers are interchangeable." Fili said The Hidden Room is intended to examine women's "most intermost fears, desires and conflicts." An impressive cast of guest stars are scheduled. Lara Lynn Boyle stars next week, followed by episodes featuring Marg Helgenberger, Melissa Gilbert, Audra Lindley, Amanda Plummer and Helen Slater. 'Veronica Clare' When you watch Veronica Clare, you'd swear you were watching a '40s movie that's been colorized by Ted Turner. The hourlong Veronica Clare, which airs at 7 p.m., is a detective series with a modern-day film noir feel.

It's mysterious, jazzy and very appealing. Often playing in the background is a jazzy rendition of Someone to Watch Over Me. Laura Robinson Night Heat) stars as the classy Veronica Clare. Robinson is perfectly cast because she's got that 1940s look a cross between Lauren Bacall and Veronica Lake plus a sultry voice. It's a woman's version of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, without the blatant sexism.

Qare not only is a private investigator, she's also co-owner of an art-deco jazz club. Her partner, Duke, is played by Robert Beltran. Other regular cast members include Tony Plana and Christina Pickles. Guest stan in the first two episodes are Dan Hedaya and Bruce Greenwood. In the first episode Clare helps her widowed aunt settle up with the mobster (Hedaya) from whom her husband embezzled.

Clare, as mysterious as her cases, occasionally offers tidbits of her philosophy such as when she's in a bind and is forced to be resourceful. Like Mike Hammer, Clare narrates throughout the show. Only at the conclusion of each episode do we find out she's really been writing the story down. She ends each one on paper with "Love, Veronica." Lifetime, in a smart move to gain your viewership, premieres these new shows during the summer rerun season. Prove Lifetime right.

Give these shows a shot. All three shows repeat Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. Television, The Arizona Republic Page 5 July 21, 1991.