Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 71

Friday, Sept. 28. 1984 71 A Murder in Need of More Vinegar Philadelphia Dally New ngela Lansbury joins the pa-Im. rade of "legitimate" stars to the Small Screen this weekend in a vehicle that was not, but could have been, designed specifically for her. It's a close fit, but Sam, you made the pants too big.

"Murder, She Wrote" makes its debut as a two-hour movie Sunday at 8 p.m. on Channel 10. CBS describes it as a "light- for Saturday nights. The Stella character is part scamp part vamp, dealing in vintage gag? and borderline innuendo. The gim mick has been used successfully a' other stations around the countr) and Channel 3 is hoping it will wort here.

Heck, if it does, we might be seeing her anchor the news someday. Why not? Sometimes it seems like every one else at the station has. 1 i ml nf L-m to come each week as Fletcher travels around the country on one excuse or another (how many murders do they have in Maine?) finding and solving murders. This suspense of the show comes from the fact that-the viewer does not not know whodunit The problem is that the viewer, this viewer anyway, does not much care. That might be the problem with the light-hearted approach.

Or the problem may be with the Fletcher character herself, who is quaint and charming, but lacks grit. Fletcher is so careful not to tromp on anyone's toes that she takes tiny steps when bounding leaps are in order. I kept thinking what this character would be like if Lansbury had played it like her slightly deranged Mrs. Lovett character in "Sweeney Todd." Gives me the shivers to think of it Don't get the idea I'm plumping for Fletcher to be packing a gat. I no sooner see her with a shoulder holster than Columbo, her spiritual godfather.

Small wonder. Creators Richard Levinson and Wlliam Link (former Philadelphians) also created Columbo. But Columbo was richly idiosyncratic, while Fletcher is mere quaint Her character could stand a few quirky veins. If you're thinking of feminine precursors, Miss Marple, Agatha Christie's female detective should come to Lansbury played Marple in "The Mirror Crack'd" a few years back and apparently brought some of that characterization with her to the TV series. Network executives always like to pretend they don't know exactly know what quality is.

"Murder, She Wrote" is quality, even if it needs more vinegar and less honey. The Alter Egos Organ music should be playing when Stella talks. Stella Who? No; Stella What Stella aka Karen Scioli, makes her debut tomorrow night following "Saturday Night Live" as the sexily debut tomorrow night hearted Stuart D. mystery drama," probably 'because it Bykofsky rwa'- I lacks the It r. I element of -4V Sd4 I -5o in ii mysteries.

Do not. bv li J-? any means. heroine to be found in any life-threatening situations. Although it is Lansbury's first weekly series, it is not her first TV appearance. The 59-year-old star has appeared in three mini-series "Little Gloria, Happy at Last," "Lace" and "The First Olympics." Her goal, said the actress who has won four Tonys for her work on Broadway, is to become known to the vast majority of Americans living between the Coasts who don't go to the theater and don't know who she is.

Lansbury plays Jessica Beatrice Fletcher, a widow from a small town in Maine who writes a mystery for her own amusement. Her nephew, however, sends it to a publisher. The book is published and (shades of Agatha Christie) it becomes a best-seller, sending Fletcher on a national tour to promote the book. During a costume party at the home of her publisher, someone kills the guest dressed as Sherlock Holmes and Fletcher, trying not to show up the police too badly, proceeds to solve the crime. That will be the shape of things The Waiting Is Over on By JUDY FLANDER Special to the Daily News Well, finally! The season premieres of "Dallas" (Channel 10 at 9) and "Falcon Crest" (Channel 10 at 10) will answer a few burning questions.

On "Dallas," we get partial answers to "Who shot Bobby Ewing?" and "Is he dead?" On "Falcon Crest," we get the answer to "Who survived the plane crash in the final episode of last season?" "Bob Hope Presents the Hilarious Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars" (Channel 3 at 8) is a fancy title for a program of outtakes from Hope's specials during his 35 years on TV. On "Webster" (Channel 6 at a Job Offers Channel 10 folks are chuckling about a story making the rounds that Channel 3 news director Pat McCarthy approached a couple of their producers about working for his station. -This came right after Channel 10 won the local Emmy for best newscast The producers approached were Paul Cluck, 11 p.m., and Susan Schiller, 6 p.m. (Gluck was a Channel 3 staffer until about a year ago.) Extra Curricula Yoks The Comedy Works and WYSP are looking for the funniest collegian In the Delaware Valley and they will award a $1,000 scholarship when he or she is found. Semi-finals are held at the club, 126 Chestnut Wednesdays through Nov.

7. The finals will follow, which will be covered by Channel 3's "Evening Magazine." To compete, show up at the club between on Wednesday with your college ID. Dial WACKY-97 for details. The Other Emmys Channel 10's offer to broadcast next year's local Emmy show was accepted by the board of director ot the Philadelphia chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It was the only station to make the offer.

Nice going, Channel 10. from launching a nuclear missile toward Moscow On "Cover Up' (Channel 10 at 10), Mac and Dani travel to Italy to prevent a cop from murdering a diplomat On "Part ners in Crime" (Channel 3 at 9) guest star David Soul plays a trendy hair stylist On a two-hour voyage. "The Love Boat" (Channel 6 at 8) stops in Amsterdam and Copenhagen On "Finder of Lost Loves" (Chan nei 6 at 10), Carey tries to bring a refugee together with her father. Sunday Series Picks John Houseman shows up again as Ricky's grandfather on "Silver Spoons" (Channel 3 at 7) The uses of laser surgery are among the miracles on "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" (Channel 6 at 7) On "Punky Brewster" (Channel 3 at it looks as If Punky is about to move in with Hank for good "Hardcastle and McCor-mick" (Channel 6 at 81, trek to Allan-tic City looking for McCormick'S daA If'1 I i Stella (Karen Scioli) makes her ghoulish hostess of "Saturday Night Dead," a horror flick festival on Channel 3 at la.m.. Stella lives "in a haunted condominium in Manayunk." Scioli lives in Fort Lee, J.

Stella is "ageless," because she's been reincarnated so many times. Scioli is "29, that's actually 32." "Stella is sexy, she's comedic, she's a horror movie buff and will be pre Crest' on the high seas On "Hunter" (Channel 3 at 9), Dee Dee's former partner turns hit man On "Matt Houston" (Channel 6 at 10), Lt. Hoyt's child is kidnapped On "Miami Vice" (Channel 3 at 10), Sonny and Ricardo are suspicious about an FBI agent's motives. Saturday Three returning series make their season premieres. "Dif rent Strokes" (Channel 3 at 8) debuts with Ray Bolger and John Astin as guest stars.

"Gimme a Break" (Channel 3 at 8:30) begins a two-parter filmed at the New Orleans World's Fair. On "Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer" (Channel 10 at 9), a pretty insurance investiga- VJH senting her own collection of horror movies each Saturday night. They call me the "Maneater of Manayunk," Scioli said. Scioli has performed in many New York comedy clubs, is a petite brunette and has no contract. "Dead" producer Steve Bronstein figures that Stella will be around to introduce and comment on each of the 100 horror films the station has bought Patrlck Duffy as Bobby Ewing on "Dallas" Friday, Ch.

10 at 9 tor has her eye out for a private eye. Saturday Series Picks On "Airwoir (Channel 10 at 8) Hawke has to stop a retired general 'Dallas' and 'Falcon the lad finally "chooses" his new parents: either his Uncle Phillip (guest star Ben Vereen) or his foster parents (Alex Karras and Susan But before he makes the big decision, Uncle Phillip whisks him off to Atlanta where the two perform song-and-dance number. Series Picks On "The Dukes of Hazzard" (Channel 10 at 8), Waylon Jennings guest stars as himself On "Benson" (Channel 6 at 8), Benson becomes the sole owner of "Playbird" enterprises, which could mean trouble now that he's lieutenant governor On "Hawaiian Heat" (Channel 6 at 9), Mac and Andy investigate a murder.