The Minneapolis Star from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 26

The Minneapolis Star Wednesday, July 11, 1979 2B Variety WTCN's mews fiasco is self-imposed WTCN-TV assured the public It would seek the best talent money could buy, and then hired reporters who projected aggressiveness, toughness and good looks. A few newspaper people who interviewed for Jobs weren't even questioned about Journalism. The obsession was with how they would look on camera. Yet several of the new hirelings turned out to be relatively inexperienced reporters who don't appeal to the local audience. Channel 1 1 lost both ways.

Jane Mitchell is the best example. Assertiveness and good looks sure. But the tone was all wrong for the Twin Cities. She left viewers feeling as though they should retreat from their TV sets and hide behind armchairs. The format and build an audience.

Those early gremlins could be written off as opening Jitters. I was wrong. The problems were indigenous to the way Metromedia chose to build a news operation. It started with the failure to find and trust an authoritative news director. Interference in news by station management Is an old story.

This time it was ruinous. The thinking was that news is potentially too profitable to trust to newsmen who know the territory. It's clear to me that General Manager Robert Fransen, and perhaps his Metromedia higher-ups, listened too closely to advice from someone who believed that what works in New York can work In Minneapolis. A mistake. in the Twin Cities.

He's an Identifiable TV personality in the way that Walt Lyons was on KSTP-TV (Channel 5). But he needs to apply himself, to stop winging his sports-casta and to learn the beauty of simple declarative sentences. Kurtz should begin conveying a sense of discipline and work to leaven his offhanded humor. Weatherman Glenn Burns' radio voice, electronic gimmicks and natty dress Increasingly strike me as ill-suited to a region where people like to think their TV weather-casters wear plaid woolen shirts and spend weekends with their fishing tackle. Like Dyer, Burns seems unnatural trying to project a personality.

And variably colored lapel flowers to denote weather changes are pitiable substitutions for shadings of character. I feel reluctant discussing newscasters in terms of personalities, Jokes and personal mannerisms. Ideally, "NewsCenter 11" would be a forum for journalism, not show business. But WTCN-TV, like too many other television stations, wants to sell news the way that P.T. Barnum sold midgets; it's fair to Judge the product by its own standards.

The larger failure is still there, fact that she's toned down her delivery in recent weeks amounts to a tacit admission that the abrasive style doesn't work here. In the entire lot of new report-' era, I've aeen only one Jim Gate-ly who seems to combine solid Journalistic ability with a straightforward, unfettered delivery that enables the viewer to concentrate on the story and not on bow It Is being presented. The selection of studio talent was also botched. A new anchorman should have come to Channel 1 1 with a successful track record, preferably in a market similar to the Twin Cities. Dyer, a onetime TV reporter who'd most recently been out of the business, Isn't right for the job.

Dyer simply isn't real at the anchor desk. He appears sincere and, thank goodness, devoid of the jugular-ripping style of some of his colleagues, but there Is no range in his delivery or his mannerisms. His brief forays into defining his personality joking with sportscaster Bob Kurtz, trying a hard hat on for size are stilted and leave the viewer feeling uncomfortable. TV viewers don't like to feel uncomfortable. I still think Kurtz could succeed your disco dial though.

Metromedia sought to grab an audience before It had anything worthwhile to offer. The company should have devoted Itself first to news, and then later to big profits. An audience, in time, will settle on a station it can trust. Channel 11 Is languishing now because It neglected to establish a foundation of trust and a genuine record of public service. Ft is leaving instead an unsavory Impression of carpetbagger Journalism.

"It's like a hot dog," one source close to the station news operation told me. "You can put it on a silver platter, but it's still Just a hot dog." Channel 11 la going to have to reform and start again, or risk the permanent alienation of thousands of viewers. The best way to start la with an absolute commitment to responsible Journalism that la stylistically attuned to the region, and without bogus promises and expectations of overnight success. An advertising source, looking at "NewsCenter 11" from hla own perspective, felt pity for the station because of the mistakes that have been made and the Immense chore that lies ahead. "They're going to have to ask people to give them a second chance," he said, "and I don't know if people are going to be willing to do that." Radio Listings Published as a service to renters at no charge to broadcasters.

The Star is not responsible for program changes bv stations. Advertisement (Carman, from Page ib) Uvea who knew more about programming The Newlywed Game" than about the practice of television Journalism. Backed by a $1 million-plus promotional budget that promised that new news is good news, "News-' Crater 11" arrived on the air as a tense, strident production that local viewers instantly recognized as being foreign to their tastes. From Its sickening theme music to its cream puff wrap-up features by Chick McCuen, "NewsCenter 11" has been a commercial failure. I was disappointed that Channel 11 hadn't been more imaginative, yet I thought four months ago that ''NewsCenter 11" could perfect its Try 2 on By KARL VICK Minneapolis Star Staff Writer How many times has this hap-" pened to you? Tired and lonely after a hard day at work, you curl up in front of the TV set for an evening of the same old thing.

Then! a friend telephones with an invitation to dance the night away at a local discotheque. But even If you had the energy, you can't go because you simply don't know the steps. "Dancing Disco" Is the answer! You wont believe it! Now you, too, can learn to dance disco in your own home! Tune in to KTCA-TV (Channel 2) at 7:30 tonight and take the first easy steps to learning all the great dance steps that are sweeping the country! In just eight easy lessons, you'll learn to step out in style doing such all-time hit dances as: the New York Hustle, the Line Dance, the Rope Hustle, the Latin Hustle, the Disco Swing, and much, much more! World-acclaimed disco teacher Randy Deals will be your personal dance instructor. Lovely Vicci Lamb is his partner. Together, they'll teach you to boogie-oogie-oogie till you can't boogie no more! You'll be the envy of Mil your friends.

Each lessons is taped live at Club Max, the world famous Boston nightspot. The programs are brought to you by WGBH, the people who made you the hit of the kitchen with "Julia Child and Company" and who turned your thumb asparagus green with "Crockett's Victory Garden." PBS station managers have given "Dancing Disco" an overwhelming vote of confidence by voting it the new program they'd most like to see on the public television schedule this year. Don't be the only one U.S. GovcninK-nl R-Mrt: Box or menthol: 17 Carlton flnave flesiLrtllnffliio Carlton Bon than 0 5 mg "tar'' and 0 05 mg. nicotine.

Cadion Menihol leu ihan I mg niconnj 0 I mg Kern in 12 mg rwoimt 0 9 mg 01 aa Brands lowesi (jriion Bor lest than 0 mg "Me" tod 0 Ob mg ntoiinf TV Tonight on your block not to get boogie fever! C'mon! It's as easy as one-two-THKEE! Each program also contains tips on dressing, lighting and selecting hit records to dance to. If you study "Dancing Disco" carefully enough, you might get a job as a real-life discotheque DJ! But for sure, if you join in now, you can receive Randy Deats' best-selling book, "Dancing Disco" a best-selling how-to manual with SO full-color photographs for only $17.95 ($9.95 in paperback). Don't be a wallflower! Put on your dancing shoes and join in the fun! You can really really twirl! Wednesday Specials Never Say Never. Pilot. George Kennedy stars as a middle-aged businessman who falls in love with a young doctor (Anne Schedeen).

(Ch. 4,7 p.m.) Pan American Games. Special highlights of the day's competition. (Ch. 9, 10:30 p.m.) Series Eight Is Enough.

(Repeat). Semester break brings romance to the Bradford family. (Ch. 5, 7 p.m.) Good Times. Florida is nervous about an annual physical and the possibility of losing her bus driving job.

(Ch. 4, 7:30 p.m.) Great Performances. Norman Conquests, Part 2, "Living Together." Tom averts several near-disasters and Norman's farewell to Sarah holds a hint of secret understanding. (Cb. 2, 8 p.m.) Less than 1 mg.

Warning: The Surgeon That Cigarette Smoking Is Bui Ira than 0 5 mg In 0 Ob 1 mg in. 0 1 mg mcgint LOW PRICES ON CARRIER CENTRAL AIR 569.00 mg pn Television Listings Advertisement tar, 0.1 mg. nicotine. General Has Determined Oangerous to Your Health. nitoiifli.

Soft Pitt and Menihol cqiietit FTC Repon May '9 'IVIERA LAS VEGAS 0 LHa VEUHit Charlie's Angels. (Repeat) Kris is mistaken for Jill and is abducted by two men. (Ch. 5, 8 p.m.) Sword of Justice. Dack Rambo plays Jack Cole, who goes after a union boss who has made some illegal investments in a gambling casino.

(Ch. 11, 8:30 p.m.) (Repeat) Las Vegas is terrorized by Jack-the-Ripper-type killings. (Ch. 5, 9 p.m.) Beaux Arts Trio Plays Ravel Chamber-music recital with pianist Menachem Pressler, violinist Isi dore Cohen and cellist Bernard Greenhouse. (Ch.

2, 9:30 p.m.) Movies Rendezvous Hotel (1979). Comi cal tale about a family-run resort starring Bill Daily and Jeff Red-ford. (Ch. 4, 8 p.m.) Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950). James Cagney stars in a story of an escaped convict.

Barbara Payton, Ward Bond. (Ch. 5, 2: is a.m.) Documentaries Star of India: Iron Lady of The Sea. (Repeat) A documentary on the history of the oldest iron hulled merchant ship afloat. (Ch.

2, 11 p.m.) Late Night Marie Curie. Pierre and Marie Curie, on their way to winning a Nobel Prize in physics, begin to realize the potential danger of radium. (Ch. 2, 11:30 p.m.) Tomorrow. Coping with cancer is discussed.

(Ch. 11, midnight) Phil Donahue. Single fatherhood is the topic of discussion. (Ch. 4, 1 a.m.) Sports Baseball.

The Twins at Tiger Stadium In Detroit. (Ch. 9, 7 p.m.) for unannounced changes. AM Tee Ion; WWTC I1M Sell keck 771 PUMc WMD llNCeuUT mPeeHclKUe K1N ll7SNtwAatak UtOeeenl KEIV I4f ten tkl KDW1 KTCR KUOM WCAL WCCO KTIS nasi WAYL MeComry KQS I44S Aftea leek KTWN IlltUeaenl KSTF IMS Toe forty K.1MM ISMOewnl WMIN leleFelku WDOV IIMCeauy UXL IS7 I MJPoUto RaSte ITU a4 Patac Saate WLOL WCAL KFA1 KSJN KDXL KQBS MJSeMletk sajCeamMr I.I rMk aate WCTS II 17 Tea 'any KDV( li4TeFen UUaalifl lul lei.l WCCO ItiJ Sell leek KSTP MJWIIlcU KFMX IM.IDUM KTWN leJJ Sell leek NOT a tea Mil tt.lCeeeuT Wednesday Baseball. Twins at Detroit.

(WCCO, 6:45 Soccer. Kicks host Chicago. (WWTC, 7:55 p.m.) The Blucfrass Hoar. Steve Cenrlch is host. (KBEM-FM, 8:30 p.m.) Thursday The Obacara Class lea.

Bill Frase produced and Is host for this program of lesser-known classical music. (KBEM-FM, 10 a.m.) Adveatares in Good Musk. The first of two programs in honor of Bastille Day, July 14, a French national holiday. Karl Haas explores the characteristics of French music. (WCAL, 11 a.m.) The Afternoon Concert.

Guitarist John Williams plays "Five Preludes" of Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Orson Welles narrates "The Airborne Symphony" of Marc Blltzsteln. (KUOM, 2 p.m.) Channel 17 Wednesday Evening 5:30 Villa Alegre 0:00 Dick Cavett 6:80 MacNeilLehrer Report 7:00 Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood 7:30 The Electric Company 8:00 MacNeilLehrer Report 8:30 Over Easy 9:00 Bill Moyers' Journal 9:30 Star of India 10:00 Dick Cavett 10:30 ABC Captioned News TTFPrtins Save now on our do-it-yourself package. 25,000 BTU model 38GS Condenser, A -coil, 20' refrigerant tubing, heatcooi thermostat No obligation home surveys are available Use your Dayton's Furnish-A-Home Account Other accessories and sizes, plus delivery and installation are available at tra charge Quantities are limited, so call today Dayton's Home Comfort Center, 452-1000. XX i ai umaM I I WCA SCCQ WP kmsp wfcTT Wednesday p.m.

5:00 Sesame Street News Hagan's Heroes Brady Bunch I Love Lucy :30 Electric Company Cronkite News World Newt Dick Van Dyke Newg 6:00 Studio See News News Tic Tac Dough I News :30 MacNeilLehrer $25.000 Pyramid LI'I Rascals Muppets Newlywed Game 7:00 I DTck Cavett Never Say Never i Eight is Enough Baseball Great American :0 Dancing Disco Good Times Eight is Enough Twins vs. Laugh-Off 8:00 Norman Conquests Movie: Charlie's Angels Detroit TaugivOff :30 Part 2 "Kendeavoua Charlie's Angels Baseball Sword Of Justice 9 KM) Norman Conquests Hotel" (11(79) Baseball Dack Kambo beaux Arts Trio Bill Daley News Bert Kosario 1 :00 Dad's Army News News Maude News Bill Movers' Jouranl Marcus Welby Police Woman Pan American Games Tonight Show Star of India Marcus Welby Police Woman Switch BerfConvy :30 Marie Curie Bonanza 0 1:40) Mannix Tonight Show Thursday 1 f) :00 Marie Curie Bonanza Mannix Koiak Tomorrow Li :30 News Tom Snyder 1:00 Donahue topic Who fl :05) News Bewitched :30 Husbands-fathers That Girl 2:00 News. (2: 1 5) Movie: Dating Game :30 Weather "Kiss Tomorrow Gomer Pyle 3:00 and Sports Goodbye" (1950) Lucy Show :30 Update James Cagney Gong Show 4:00 News Barbara Payton KBI :30 News Ward bond KBI 50 News To be announced What's New? 30 News To be announced What's New? 60 Thursday Morning News 700 Club PTL Club :30 Thursday Morning (6:20) Country Day 700 Club PTL (Tub 7:00 Allan's Window Good Morning Underdog Today :30 (7:45) Weather Captain Kangaroo America Bullwinkle Tom Brokaw 8:00 Sesame Street Donahue topic Good Morning Popeye Today :30 Sesame Street Reincarnation America Archies Today 9:00 Mister Rogers Joker's Wild Twin Cities Today I Dream of Jeannie Card Sharks :30 Electric Company Whewl Twin Cities Today Room 222 All Star Secrets I fi :00 Bill Movers' Journal Price is Right Lavernc Shirley Medical Center Tligh Rollers Star of India Price Is Right Family Keud Medical Center Wheel of Fortune Studio See Young and Restless Pyramid Perry Mason Password Plus Sesame Street Search for Tomorrow Ryan's Hope Perry Mason Hollywood Squares 1 Sesame Street Midday All Mv Children News Davs of our Lives Mister Rogers As The World Turns All My Children Ghost and Mrs. Mulr Days of our I Ives 1:00 Electric Company As The World Turns One Life to ive The Bold Ones The Doctors :30 Julia Child Guiding Light One Life to Live The Bold Ones Another World 2:00 Over Lay Guiding Light General HuspiUi StreeU ol Anoll.ei W'orid :30 Dick Cavett M'A'S'H General Hospital San Francisco Another World 3:00 Poldark Joker's Wild Cinema 5 Casper (MervGnffin :30 Poldark Mike Douglas "Melody" (1971) rot ft Superstars I en Cartou 4:00 Mister Rogers Margaret Trudeau Jack Wild Munsters Odd Couple :30 Sesame Street t.ou Rawls Mark Lester Gilllgan's Island Carol Burnett 5:00 Sesame Street News Hogan's Heroes Brady Bunch ITove Lucy :30 Electric Company Cronkite News World News Dick Van Dyke News 6:00 Studio See News News Tic Tac Dough News i ,:3 MacNeilLehrer Match Game PM Laurel Hardy In Search Of Newlywed Game 7:00 Dick Cavett Carnvial of Animals Mork 4r Mindy Gunsmoke Project UI L30 Sneak Previews Dr. Senas Angie Gunsmoke Project UFO 8:00 Norman Conquests Hawaii Five-0 Barney Miller Dinah' Quincy :30 Conclusion Hawaii Five-0 Barney Miller Jon Walmsley Quincy 9:00 Norman Conquests Barnaby Jones 2020 Fiddle Money David Cassidy MarT Norman Conquests Barnaby Jones 2020 News Undercover 1 :00 Dancing Disco News News Maude News 11 :30 The Long Search Marcus Welby Starsky Hutch Pan American Games Tonight Show loTT The Long Search Marcus Welby Starskv Hutch MASH Richard Dawson :30 "Major Barbara" Bonanza (1 1:40) Mannix (1 1:20) McCloud Susan Sullivan DADrS JUlV 86 i II I II on EE.

Program listings are furnished by (he networks and stations. The Star is jmt responsible.