Hattiesburg American from Hattiesburg, Mississippi • 15

mm HATTIESBURG AMERICAN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1992 PAGE 7B- ft FAMILY LIFE 'Freedom', tour makes local stop 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday USM Polymer Science Building Auditorium Tickets: $3 for general public; $2 for senior citizens; free to USM students, faculty and staff; available at the door Television isn't worth the weight By Gannett News Service Do you watch four or more hours of television a day? If so, be careful you could be on your way to a weight problem. Women who watch four or more hours of television a day are twice as likely to become obese as those who watch less than one hour a day, according to a study of 4,771 working women that appeared in the "American Journal of Public Health." From Special Reports "Mississippi Freedom," a theater event drawing on the personal stories of living Mississippians to explore race relations, will be presented Tuesday and Wednesday at the University of Southern Mississippi. This is the first performance of a statewide tour of "Mississippi Freedom," which was created by New York theater artist Robbie McCauley in collaboration with 11 actors, storytellers and singers from the Jackson area. "Mississippi Freedom" places special emphasis on the "freedom riders" and the voting rights struggle of the 1960s as a watershed of change for the entire country.

It is being presented by The Arts Company of Cambridge, in association with the A fro -American Student Organization of the University of received a 1992 OBIE award for "Best New Play" and a 1990 New York Dance and Performance award. She recently served as dialogue coach for the Hollywood film "Juice," directed by Ernie Dickerson. The 11 cast members are African-American and Caucasian, range in age from early 20s to mid-60s and live in the Jackson area, though the original homes of many of them are located throughout the state. Most were involved in or have personal memories of the voting rights struggle in the 1960s. They are Ona Banks, Veronica Cooper, James Green, Willie Horton, Deborah Imboden, Dick Johnson, Kent Lambert, Sadat Muhammad, Sameerah Muhammad, Sheila Richardson and Kay King Valentine.

They will join McCauley after the performance for a discussion with audience members. themselves and with McCauley. There is also a section in which the audience and the performers talk to each other about contemporary issues. "Having done performances of my own family history as it related to the social history about us in the South (Georgia, where she spent most of her childhood), the West (where her grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier) and Washington, D.C. (where her immediate family settled), I have started to work with artists in other communities telling and retelling personal stories connected to social events," McCauley said.

"I hope, in Mississippi, that telling stories as performance and developing theater arts out of existing culture is encouraged. Another intention is to use art in a way that celebrates the hard and good changes that Mississippians have struggled to Southern Mississippi and Potpourri Artistic Repertory Theater of Jackson. The show premiered in Jackson in May. "It's not some Broadway or Hollywood interpretation," a reviewer for the Clarion-Ledger wrote following the premiere. "The informal, non-fiction illuminating instead of condescending.

'Mississippi Freedom' is dramatically positive, culturally inclusive and philosophically expansive. It speaks to every American." McCauley and her collaboraters collected oral histories from people in the state and elsewhere earlier this year that form the basis of much of the piece. This was combined with the performers' own stories and interaction among bring about for generations." McCauley is a veteran of the New York stage, having appeared in the original Broadway production of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf," as well as some off-Broadway productions. A writer and director as well as an actress, she began to create her own musical theater performances in 1979 and, in the mid-1980s, a series of autobiographical works based on historical events. For one of those, "Sally's Rape," she TELEVISION 'Tonight Show' bans Tritt and Yearwood By Gannett News Service The battle for late-night guests has claimed its first Nashville casualties Travis Tritt and Tr-isha Yearwood.

Tritt has been banned permanently from "The Tonight Show" for refusing to cancel an upcoming "Arsenio" appearance, said his manager Ken Kragen. Year-wood, who shares the same manager, also had an upcoming "Tonight" appearance cancelled. 7 iiitss 1 Ilk 1 4 1 iff: HEALTH Hp 1 1 Viewers await Murphy barb By SANDY SMITH Gannett News Service Will "Murphy Brown" be serving roasted Quayle on TV tonight? The much-ballyhooed season opener has new mama Murphy learning to adapt to a squalling as yet unnamed child. Will a baby tone down the acerbic Murphy? Will a child change the tenor of the show? Will he go through life without a name? Who cares? What people really want to know WILL MURPHY SAY?" Ever since Vice President Dan Quayle presented new mama Murphy with a public tongue-lashing last May and since "Murphy Brown" producers vowed to retaliate Arthritis group to meet Wednesday The Arthritis Support Group will meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Magnolia Room of Methodist Hospital of Hattiesburg.

Ricky Conn, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon associated with South Mississippi Specialists, will discuss joint replacement. There is no charge for the seminar or participatoin in the group. For more information, call 268-5010. v-T? interest in the season premiere has been high. It reached a fever pitch Aug.

30 during the Emmy Awards when Candice Bergen thanked Quayle for her 8 tonight (runs for one hour) CBS, Channel 10 on Pine Belt Cable AN 7 BULLETIN ft BOARD CBS Photo A nurse (Bee-be L. Smith) tries to convince Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen, left) that she can't give her newborn son back. In tonight's season opener Murphy is expected to retaliate against Vice President Quayle's remarks about her lack of family values. Numbers don't lie in politics and TV best comedy actress nod. Not since "Who shot J.R." propelled "Dallas" into TV legend making its third season premiere the highest rated show in history has a season premiere been so widely discussed.

The "Dallas" episode taught us nothing, but "Murphy" can have sweeping sociological implications lessons that could change the course of politics. OK, so maybe that's expecting a little much from a TV show. But there are examples that could be included in a "how-to-run-for-political-office" handbook: Rule 1. Never pick on a TV show you've never seen. Rule 2.

Never pick on someone who has scriptwriters to pen nifty comebacks. Sure, every politican has speechwriters, but few have that Hollywood zing. Rule 3. (If you ignore Rule 2.) Never give them time to stew. Quayle's biggest mistake was commenting on the season finale of "Murphy," leaving producers five long months to write, rewrite and polish Murphy's reply.

Rule 4. (If you ignore all of the above.) Never speak of a fictional character as if she's real. Quayle continued to refer to Murphy Brown as if she were a real newsperson, giving producers actual news footage and a perfect opportunity to make the vice president part of the show. Now perhaps this country can move on to more important things likejiaming Murphy's baby. Only 7 percent of delegates at the Republican Convention last month think Quayle should run for president In 1996.

Murphy is a better parent (43 percent) than Quayle (32 percent), according to a Gallup poll. In fact, Murphy is better president-material (40 percent) than Quayle (38 percent) in the same poll. And Murphy is more trustworthy (40 percent) than Quayle (32 percent). Dan Quayle Brown is the second most popular name for Murphy's still-unnamed baby boy, receiving 66 votes in a Woman's Day magazine poll. Avery Brown named after Murphy's late mom was tops with 86 votes.

It all started innocently enough: Murphy Brown gave birth to a bouncing baby boy last May. But her bundle of joy turned sour when Vice President Dan Quayle accused the fictional newscaster of "mocking the importance of fathers by bearing the child alone." Murphy is expected to retort in tonight's season premiere. Scripts purloined from the production have Murphy watching Quayle denounce her on TV, replying "What? Did you hear that? I agonized over that decision. I didn't know if I could raise a kid by myself. I worried about what it would do to him.

"I didn't just wake up one morning and say, 'Oh, gee, I can't get in for a facial, so I might as well have a By SANDY SMITH Gannett News Service One thing TV characters and politicians have in common: Both live and die by the numbers. "Murphy Brown" (33 million Nielsen "votes" for the last May's season-ender) vs. Quayle (48.8 million votes in the 1988 election) has kept pollsters in business in recent months. Among their findings: "Murphy Brown" is the most admired character on television, according to a CBS poll taken in March, two months before Quayle picked on the new mom. And Murphy is No.3 in the favorite TV character category of the same poll.

Civic Light Opera to hold auditions Auditions for the Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera's production of "A Christmas Carol" will be held at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Saenger Theater, downtown Hattiesburg. The show, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, with music by Oscar-winning composer Michel LeGrand, will be directed by Larry Mullican. The show calls for a large cast of men and women, with some parts for children and teen-agers. Anyone interested in auditioning for chorus or a lead should be prepared to sing a song of their choosing; those auditioning should take their own music; an accompanist will be be provided.

Those interested in speaking parts will be asked to read scenes from the show. A choreographer will teach a brief movememt pattern from the show to judge dance and movement ability. The show will be presented on Dec. 3, 4, 5 and 6. For more information, call Jane Ezelle at 264-9556 or 545-1537.

Lott reunion The annual Lott reunion will be held Sunday at Paul B. Johnson State Park, Pavilion 35. Friends and relatives are invited to attend. Area teen would love to see Babe Ruth swat a home run time machine, when would you get off? "I would go back in time and see Babe Ruth hit a homerun." Where do you see yourself 20 years from now? "Being a doctor living in a big house making lots of money." If you could change one thing about yourself, what GIVE US A CALL STUDENT: Ken Howard, 13, eighth grader at South Forrest Attendance Center; family: father, Donald Howard; mother, Cherry Howard; they live near Carnes and raise chickens and calves; one brother, Kevin, 19, a student at Gulf Coast Community College; and one sister, Carissa, 16, a student at Forrest County Agricultural High School. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: President of the Student Council; on the football, basketball and volleyball teams; member of the Beta Club; class favorite; an student; plans to study medicine in college and wants to be a doctor or a professional basketball player.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Won the Math and Science Award I someone in the mall, thinking she was my sister." Describe a perfect night at home with your family. "Sitting on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a movie." What rule do you wish your parents would change? "I wish I didn't have to make all A's to play sports." What do you no longer fear? "I was afraid of the dark, but not anymore." What one thing do you wish people knew about you? That I'm a Christian." What movie title best describes your life? 'Problem What is your greatest social concern? "My greatest social concern is teen pregnancy." What facilities would you like to have available for area teens? "I would like to have a Family center opened around my house so everyone could have something to do." Water us down with your comments Bottled water is wetting plenty of whistles these days, especially those sparkly new fruit-flavored beverages. But it's not as cheap as tap water. Is bottled water any better for you than the stuff that is piped into your home? Is the cost justified, or is it too expensive? Why have so many people started drinking it? We're doing a story on bottled water and invite readers to call in with their opinions. Call Robyn Jackson or Daphne Woods at 582-4321 or 800-844-4326 between 8 a.m.

and 5 p.m. weekdays or 3-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Please call by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

would it be? "I would be taller (he's 5 feet tall)." What is your favorite TV show? Tn Living because it is so funny." What's the best and worst advice anybody has ever given you? The best advice anyone ever gave me was to make good grades. The worst advice was to go along with the crowd." What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? "When I started talking to last year. Which pro basketball player would you like to talk to? "I would talk to Michael Jordan. I would ask him how did he get so good." If you took a ride in a AMERICAN Photo by Steve Coleman Ken Howard, 13, a student at South Forrest Attendance Center, plays several sports and hopes to be a doctor or a professional athlete when he grows up..