Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 63

Chicago Tribune, Friday, January 8, 1999 Section 5 3 Tempo Taxing situation taken to the limit til? I If ear Ann Landers: I I just read a story in The Macomb Daily, a paper here in Michigan, about a 72-year-old resident of Pittsburgh. This man owns a beauty and barber shop supply business, which he bought in 1983. He recently received a notice saying he owes a property tax bill of $1,151 that goes back to 1911, before this man was even born. It seems the debt had gone undetected, even though the Ann Landers property had changed hands several times. When the man expressed his astonishment, he was told that the passage of time and the change in ownership did not make any difference.

He still has to pay the back real estate taxes. I find this outrageous. Si Sr- It 'U Mary in Warren, Mich. 'bear Mary: It is good of you to take up this tion" to offer a skewed slice of life at an inner-city housing complex. Murphy is one of the producers as well as the very skillful voice of the gruff, bumbling building supervisor Thur-good Stubbs, who moves through his downtrodden world like a prince with a plunger.

The show debuts Sunday (7:30 p.m., WFLD-Ch. 32) before moving to its regular time period Tuesday (7:30 p.m.). It is hard, at least in Chicago, to find humor in a bit where a boy falls off of a public-housing roof. But the episode, which is a sort of mixture of "The Honeymoon-ers," "Fat Albert" and "Good Times," prompted as many sneaky laughs as it did groans for predictable lines and the allusion to a Chicago tragedy was surely unintentional. And it is just a stunning thing to look at.

The Will Vinton Studios, which made the raisins as well as those talking have created a surreal, beautiful landscape that seems to artfully meld the claylike characters, their cartoon-looking lip movements, scale models and some real filmed images. Also stunning to look at is Melina Kanakare-des, the flesh-and-blood star of NBC's "Providence." Kanakaredes plays a disaffected plastic surgeon who decides she may quit fast-lane cosmetic surgery work in L.A. after her mom dies and she learns that her actor's-agent boyfriend is perhaps not the man to settle down with. Think of "St. Elsewhere," a previous stop for series creator John Masius, and you have an idea of the feel of this hour drama: It reaches for emotional truths and is unafraid to use quirky humor en route, as the surgeon reconciles with her family (and, of course, her true self).

Masius and Kanakaredes put viewers instantly on the side of an affecting lead character. The lead of HBO's new 13-week dramatic series "The Sopranos" (8 p.m. Sundays, repeating at 10 p.m. Tuesdays), mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), should have a hard time getting anybody on his side, given his tendency to whack strangers viciously on the head with telephone handsets. This show will likely not be welcomed by an Italian-American community bone-weary of the whole mob thing.

But producer-writer David Chase's Fly Away," "Northern portrait of Tony bright and dark is not just another caricature. In addition to taking care of his violent and changing business, our hero is having ongoing family woes and a midlife crisis; his cagey sessions with a shrink are the glue that holds it together. And the expertly crafted program is infused with a humor so dark and so very dry that you almost don't notice it. When you do, you wonder whether this shouldn't be on British TV first. Midseason Continued from Page 1 (NBC), a family saga focusing on a fetching but conscience-stricken plastic surgeon gone home again to the title city; and "The Sopranos" (HBO), an offbeat attempt to find empathy and black humor in the life of a brutal modern-day mob bossfamily man.

It is good news for their respective networks that all have points to recommend them (more on that later). But there is a broader reason for anticipation, as welL Midseasons are often more interesting than fall seasons, because there seems to be more room for chance-taking. A list of shows on the air now that debuted outside of the traditional September-October start-up include some of TV's best and least formulaic fare: "The Simpsons," "NewsRadio," "Homicide: Life on the Street," "3rd Rock from the Sun," "King of the Hill," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Just Shoot Me" and "Dawson's Creek." Perhaps this notion that after September there is room to be quirky is taking hold, because this year's is an uncommonly intriguing batch of shows, heavy on animation. Among the programs on tap in the near future (and their projected debut dates and networks): "Futurama" (March, Fox): Who would have thought that Matt Groening, once just the artist behind a sharp little alternative-weekly comic called "Life in Hell," would become a leading force in television? Groening earned his place in the pantheon by coming up with "The Simpsons," of course, and this satire casts a 1999 man into the year 3000. "Dilbert" (Jan.

25, UPN): The question, as Scott Adams' wicked workplace satire moves off the comics pages to also occupy the small screen, is not only whether it can work on TV, but whether Adams has severely crippled his characters by selling them out to the kind of commercial interests he so effectively lampooned. "Family Guy" (Jan. 31, Fox): The cartoon look at a dysfunctional family and its autocratic baby gets the coveted post-Super Bowl debut slot before beginning as a series in March. A 25-year-old is behind it, so expect something more like "South Park" than "The Flintstones." "Zoe, Duncan, Jack Jane" (Jan. 17, WB): Moving to live action, teen targeters at the WB try to do for the sitcom what they have done for the hour drama: Load it up with cute young people, toss in pop-culture references and make it all about sex.

The title characters are four world-weary prep-school kids in New York, and a pretty sprightly pilot episode just arrived. "60 Minutes II" (Wednesday, CBS): The world needs another network newsmagazine man's cause, but I'm afraid he is stuck. According to Dominick Gambino, administrative assistant to the Allegheny County controller, anyone who buys property is responsible for the outstanding tax liens. In this instance, however, the tax lien was so old, it did not show up on a standard title search when the man bought the property back in 1983. The county sold its tax liens to a private company in 1997, which then discovered the old debt when it began cleaning up the county's records.

You will be pleased to know that the beauty supply owner has title insurance that ought to cover it. IDear Ann Landers: With help from various family members, I created the following credo for drivers: Drive defensively. Remember that the driver next to Eddie Murphy's "The PJs" presents a skewed slice of life at an inner-city housing complex. like Tony Danza needs another role as a New York single dad. But this one, at least, will be supervised by the people who put together what is still the cream of the crop.

"Turks" (Jan. 21, CBS): Network TV's third crack this season at a drama about a big Irish urban family thick with cops, love and conflict. After the underwhelming performances of autumn's "Trinity" and "To Have and To Hold," this one, set in Chicago and starring William Devane, does not bear high expectations. Also on tap in coming months are animated series based on the comic strip "Baby Blues" (WB, undetermined) and sharp-witted comic Jon Stewart's debut as host of "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central, Monday), replacing sarcastic frat-boy Craig Kilborn, who takes over Tom Snyder's CBS late-night chair, probably in March. But in the here and now we 'have Eddie Murphy's "The PJs," which uses a California Raisins-style animation process called "foama- you could be fighting sleep, distracted by a crying baby, combing her hair, daydreaming, lighting a cigarette, shaving, searching in the glove compartment, reading a map, applying makeup, talking on the phone, reading road signs, drinking, eating, adjusting the air conditioning or changing a cassette.

That driver also might be suffering from any number of physical ailments that could alter his or her ability to see or hear. Defensive driving means wearing a seat belt, no tailgating, obeying traffic rules and keeping your attention focused on the road. What I have written could mean the difference between life and death. M.C., Alamo, Calif. Dear Alamo: Thanks for reminding us that all Fewer sidetracks would lead to a livelier history of the Dead Book review SWEET CHAOS: The Grateful Dead's American Adventure By Carol Brightman Clarkson Potter, 356 pages, $27.50 wjn r- drivers must be alert to the drivers nearby.

All it takes is for one of those drivers to be distracted for a few seconds. The result could be a tragic accident. Dear Ann Landers: I never cease to be amazed at the number of people who put an unfair burden on a bride and groom by carrying wedding presents to the reception. The couple then must arrange for one or two empty cars to haul the gifts to the couple's new home. I believe this happens for two reasons: procrastination and laziness.

Many guests wait until the last minute to buy a gift, and then, they bring it to the wedding rather than have it delivered. Also, some guests don't want to be bothered with wrapping a gift for mailing. You would do thousands of wedding couples a huge favor if you would urge guests to purchase and deliver gifts before the big day. If they can't manage to get the gift in advance, it is perfectly OK to send it a few days after the wedding. I hope you agree with me, Ann.

F.W. in Zionsville, Ind. Dear Zionsville: You've hit on something that has stuck in my craw for ages. Thank you. Whenever I go to a wedding and see a table loaded with gifts, I feel sorry for the bride and groom or, more realistically, for their parents.

What an imposition to expect them to take these presents home, keep the cards straight and so on. How much more considerate to have those gifts delivered several days before the ceremony. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. clear than its writing. "Sweet Chaos" is a lengthy essay that has a sweetly chaotic gait, meandering from one aspect of the Dead to another, with no explicit larger point to make.

It rides on what writers have brought to some of the most exciting essays a sense of discovery. But sometimes the aim-lessness is frustrating, and while stock conclusions would be unwelcome, a sense of order and direction might help. Brightman also has a habit of relying too heavily on her own experience, describing her activism during the 1960s as if "Sweet Chaos" were a memoir. While the Dead and its growing legion of fans were looking within to explore alternate consciousnesses over in San Francisco, she notes repeatedly, she was living in a commune and protesting the system as a Berkeley radical. It's an interesting contrast that helps to define the Dead, but too often she leaves the subject of the Dead entirely to tell her own war stories.

previously published information about the Dead. As she pieces together a portrait of the phenomenon, she draws not only from her interviews with Dead family members such as Robert Hunter but also from books such as Tom Wolfe's "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," Rock Scully and David Dalton's "Livin' With the Dead" and Robert Greenfield's "Dark Star." She spends much of her book recounting what readers of Dead books already know about the formative years. And she jumps ahead to the 1990s intermittently to deliver the overtold story of Garcia's drug and performance struggles. But it's all presented with lots of smart analysis, and Brightman knows how to put words to some of the more ethereal elements of the Dead world. She gives an "I was there" intimacy to her descriptions, even though in most cases she wasn't there physically or psychically.

The overall goal of the book is less In Sunday's Books section, a review of Joel Glenn Brenner's "The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars." Dangerously: Mary McCarthy and Her World" and the sister of Candace Brightman, the Dead's lighting designer for many years. Brightman is an engaging stylist who plays the role of a student of American subcultures in "Sweet Chaos." While she is respectful of her subject and enthusiastic about the music, she does not identify herself as a Deadhead, and she makes a point of distinguishing herself from the band's more politically reticent devotees. She is a curious outsider with a few good insider connections. Brightman is also a savvy reader, and one of the strengths of "Sweet Chaos" is her ability to synthesize the By Matthew Gilbert The Boston Globe Of the many American stories of the last century, the Grateful Dead remains one of the more epic and enigmatic. Until its demise as a touring band after the 1995 death of Jerry Garcia, the Dead led a rare 30-year experiment in communal adventure, mind expansion and improvisational rock 'n' roll.

Countless writers have pulled out the cultural-crit lingo in attempts to pinpoint the band's always elusive significance. The latest ambitious soul to take on the Dead is Carol Brightman, the author of "Writing Keith Jackson ends his career on a high note Horoscopes TV notes Speaking of the "People's Choice Awards," CBS on Tuesday did proudly announce that Garth Brooks would perform during Sunday's telecast, which gets under way at 8 p.m. Due to contractual issues between Leno and NBC, CBS can't use the top-rated late-night host in any of its promos, press releases or other advertisements for the program. From Tribune News Services When sportscaster Keith Jackson closed his nearly five-decade sportscasting career at the end of the much-awaited Fiesta Bowl, he was talking to ABC's largest Monday audience this season. The college football game, which pitted Tennessee against Florida State for the national championship, averaged 26,112,000 viewers.

That's a larger TV crowd than any that tuned into the "Monday Night Football" pro games on ABC this season. The Fiesta Bowl easily won every half-hour of the night. The telecast and its 15-minute warmup show blew right by "MNF's" seasonal average. The Fiesta pre-game averaged 18,971,000 viewers, while "MNF's" pre-game show averaged 12,220,000 viewers this season. And "MNF," which turned in its lowest numbers ever this season, averaged 19,620,000 viewers.

The largest "MNF" audience this season came with the Oct. 5 Packers-Vikings game, which drew 23,950,000 viewers, more than 2 million under the Fiesta Bowl turnout. NBC's "Tonight" host Jay Leno will be visiting CBS Sunday night, as a presenter on the annual "People's Choice Awards." Which will be news to those who've seen CBS' promos for the awards show. it -XT where you want to go, there's a leap of faith required. A person who knows you well thinks you can do it.

Let that person convince you. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept 22): Today is a 5. A person you care a lot about is always getting nice things for you, and today you could find the perfect thing for him or her. Don't worry about whether there's an occasion for gift-giving.

Libra (Sept 23-0ct. 23): Today is a 7. Love is in the air, and you're generating it, but not all by yourself. There are other people out there who feel the same way. You encourage them, and they light you up.

That's the key to a successful day, and you have everything you need to make it happen. You have friends. Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov. 21): Today is a 6. If you want to know something today, just ask.

People will be willing to talk, especially if you provide them with a little security. Tell them what they say will be kept in confidence, then just gather up all the information they can pour into you. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Today is a 7.

You're experiencing a little more relaxation, flexibility and humor in your life, and a little less criticism. It's a welcome change. You've been up against tough odds for the last few days, and you've done remarkably well. Schedule a break for yourself as your reward. Doing something physically active with friends would be great.

Dancing, anyone? Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Today is a 5. You're in a position to attract attention again today. You might also attract a little more money into your account.

It's sort of a nsky time as far as stability is concerned. You're gaining knowledge as well as experience every time you turn around. Today, you're lucky with money. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.

18): Today is a 7. Travel looks good right now. You may not have time to go to a distant continent, but you could probably get to the new foreign restaurant several cities over. Who would be really interesting to share this adventure with? Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Today is a 5.

Several attractive people are watching you, and some might even be making advances. What are you going to do? You're going to have to think of something, because they won't be dissuaded. Go ahead and accept some of the invitations, and relax. You've worked hard enough already. I By Linda C.

Black Tribune Media Services Today's Birthday (Jan. 8): Be bold this year and you could have the career of your dreams. Luck is also involved. Luck comes in February, as you get an unexpected bonus. Accept a work-related challenge to make that happen.

In March, you re lucky too, this time with learning. In April, the structure is what keeps you strong. Invest in your future in August, and take the leap of faith around late September or October. By December, your transformation should be complete. You'll have turned into the person you always wanted to be, if you've set that as your goal from the beginning.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 1 0 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19): Today is an 8. There might be couple of surprises today. Somebody could make a proposal you didn't expect. Imagination and creativity are required to win at this game.

A long-lasting friendship, at least, could be your reward. Taurus (April 20-May 20): Today is a 6. The load definitely increases today. You'll have little time for anything else, but there's good news too. Looks like you'll be able to hand some of this work over to a friend.

Don't be worried that there's not enough to go around. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Today is a 6. If you followed your heart's desire, your plans are made by now and you're close to going into action. You may have to do some fancy footwork. The rewards are love, intellectual stimulation and fascinating conversation.

Your assignment: Open up and let them in. Cancer (June 22-July 22): Today is a 5. A situation you've been putting up with has become just about intolerable. A couple jaunts around the park wouldn't hurt, just to get your head clear. You'll want to be in fighting trim to take care of the project you've planned for the weekend.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Today is an 8. You may know what you'd like to do next, but taking action is a different story. Today, you'll have an opportunity to lean ou over the edge. If you're going to get He's one of crime fiction's most NOW BEAU IS BACK! I ROM NAIIONAl MMSCMIM, AlllllUK M) wet" VtlNNIKOf 1HI AV18KK AN MVillKY AlAKI Jt.f JAJAHCE keep your QVhS of 4 A tlie i vmencan CjW Ai 'ast after tH'o years bestseUmq 'i'f" A jance ifcir-riTty sleuth bo.iui'K'nt return.

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