Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 51

Inside -t, Texana F2 Pets of the week F3 TV listings F4-5 Comics F6 Tips for reacting to extreme driving situations. Coming Saturday Friday, January 16, 1998 Horoscopes F7 ft-h on r( SMnlJS e) ki a to be iL-Lfc I linn ii i ii ii i in, i ii jij iijiiL inn in I Phyllis Liedeker Former Austin teacher and musician Rob Thomas maintains a high-profile writing career in LA. with recent work on the WB's new 'Dawson's 'Greek' writer dips many oars in Hollywood waters i til i "i It 1 i i 'Dawson's Creek' centers on the lives of friends Pacey (Joshua Jackson), Joey (Katie Holmes), Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Jen (Michelle Williams) as they face the emotional and physical trials of growing up. New teen drama 'Dawson's Greek' is set to make a stir with hot young stars and controversial dialogue series version of Thomas' first novel, "Rats Saw God," which was published in 1996 and follows the exploits of a disillusioned high school kid named Steve York. The half-hour drama, for which MTV has ordered a pilot script, would give the author his first credit as executive producer.

"In my mind, it would be a punk-rock 'Dawson's Thomas said. "The attitude would be edgier. MTV really is the only place I could do it and make it feel real. They wouldn't make me cast beautiful kids." Thomas sees some similarity between Steve York and a "Dawson's Creek" wisecracker named Pacey, in that both teen-agers are underachievers. "But Pacey is extroverted," Thomas pointed out.

"Steve York wants to go his entire high school career without being noticed." In addition to the two series possibilities, Thomas is writing the screenplay for a feature-film version of his second novel, "Slave Day," published last year. The movie is in development and could hit theaters by spring 1999. And last year Thomas published his third book, a collection of short stories titled "Doing Time: Notes From the Undergrad." When Thomas quit teaching and rock 'n' rolling, he concentrated on writing his young adult novels. But the chance to write a couple of episodes for the cable cult favorite "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" during his Black Irish days opened the door for a Hollywood career. That's when "Dawson's Creek" creator Kevin Williamson came calling: The transition has had its bumpy spots.

A writer has almost total control in writing books, but writing for television is a different story "Between what you envision and write and what actually takes place on the screen, there's a lot of room for discrepancy," Thomas said. "That was a lesson I had to learn." By Diane Holloway American-Statesman Staff Rob Thomas, former Austin high school teacher and local rock musician, has a skyrocketing career writing for an audience half his age. "Yeah, I'm a bit nervous that the longer I'm away from teenagers, the less hip I'll sound," the 32-year-old Thomas said from his house on the Los Angeles street where actor Hugh Grant and prostitute Divine Brown were arrested. That's a long way from San Marcos, where Thomas went to high school, and the University of Texas, where he graduated in 1987, and Reagan High School, where he taught journalism, and Austin clubs, where he played in a rock band called Black Irish. One of four writers on the staff of WB's eagerly awaited teen drama "Dawson's Creek," Thomas has a trio of other hot prospects on his plate.

The series has completed its 13-episode production, so Thomas has moved on. At the top of his list is "Cupid," an hourlong anthology romance for ABC from executive producer Scott Winant, best-known for the acclaimed dramas "thirtysomething" and "My So-Called Life." Billed as a writer-producer on the new project, Thomas is waiting to hear if the quirky series will be picked up for ABC's fall schedule. "It's sort of a post-modern, anti-'Love Boat' with sensibilities in line with 'Northern Exposure' and he said. The central character is Cupid and his psychiatrist. Although Cupid will try to play matchmaker, Thomas insisted "he's not really Cupid there'll be no arrows flying around.

And we don't want a sweet, huggable Cupid." In fact, Thomas said the prime candidate for Cupid is offbeat comedian Denis Leary, currently seen in the Dustin Hoffman-Robert DeNiro film "Wag the Dog." Also in the works is a possible have an affair with a teacher. There are oblique references to masturbation. But perhaps curiously, the only characters actually having sex in the pilot are a couple of parents. The series is a coming-of-age chronicle with echoes of the short-lived, highly acclaimed se he buzz about "Dawson's Creek," the hormonally charged teen drama that debuts on the WB network next week, is getting louder by the day Initially, people were buzzing because producer-writer Kevin Williamson, the brain behind the mega hit movies "Scream" and "Scream 2," is 1 ries "My So-Called Life." But "Dawson's Creek" isn't quite as dark. Yes, there's angst and moping.

These are teen-agers, after all. But there's also a good deal of goofiness and a lighthearted, soap-opera feel. Set in a small coastal town in Massachusetts, the series focuses on four 15-year-olds with a special spotlight on one Dawson Leery, played winningly by crystal-eyed, 20-year-old James Van Der Beek. Handsome but unassuming, Dawson is a budding filmmaker who idolizes Steven Spielberg. He also has strong feelings for Jen Lindley (16-year-old Michelle Williams), a newcomer who the creative force behind the series.

The buzz grew louder when the four fresh-faced young actors, all destined for teen-idol status, were cast. After the pilot was screened for ics last summer, the buzz turned to a roar. "Dawson's Creek" is a well-written, welkacted drama that will be as addictive as french fries to young viewers. It's loaded with dialogue that rings true and characters etched from adolescent reality. And it's chock full of hot music from the likes of No Doubt and Sheryl Crow.

Simply put, "Dawson's Creek" is likely to be the hottest teen show since By Diane Holloway American-Statesman Staff 'Dawson's Creek' Tuesdays at 8 p.m. WB (KNVA, Channel 54) lives with her grandparents. But the core relationship in the series is the lifelong friendship between Dawson and Joey Potter (Katie Holmes, 18). In the pilot's opening scene, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" exploded almost a decade ago. But it's also going to be controversial, especially among parents who'd rather not have their kids watch a series that's so tightly focused on sex.

Everyone talks about sex having it, not having it, wanting it, not wanting it. One of the characters will See Look, Back page You can see mature chinquapin oaks at Zilker Park Jane S. Chsg for residents. Santa bring new helmets, pads or Roller Blades? The home would love to have the older ones. Call 459-3353 to have the donations picked up.

Ql My cat scratches on a leather couch that I would love to have repaired. Who do I call? M.E.H. The mobile professionals at Superior Interiors Leather and Vinyl Repair (244-7671) or Austin Total Leather Care, at (888) 275-4852. can cover the scratches. Please buy a scratching post or teach the cat the glory of life outdoors.

Contact Jane S. Greig at RO. Box 670, Austin 78767; 445-3697; jgreigstatesman.com; or fax 445-3968. Her column appears Fridays through Tuesdays. Agency, 151 El Camino Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif.

90212. Santa Claus was very generous with our daughters and delivered new bicycles to replace ones they had outgrown. We have three extra bicycles. Help me and other parents with excess bicycles by telling me where I can deliver these used bikes. My daughters would like them go to girls who might not get a bicycle otherwise.

Mindy Lewis Bikes Not Bombs, a program to send bicycles to children in other countries, accepts donations such as yours. Take the bikes to 4701 Avenue (near the garage). Helping Hand Home for Children, 3804 Avenue could use the bikes chinquapin oaks grow somewhat faster than live oaks, and have a "relatively high degree of resistance to oak wilt," but need better soil than live oaks. Rhoades also notes the acorns from this oak are readily edible not as tasty as a pecan, but-with considerably less tannic acid than a live oak acorn. Zachary Scott Theatre Center is looking for people who have seen "Angels in America," (Part Millennium Approaches or Part II: Pere-stroika), who would like to share their feelings about it.

"Angels in America," winner of a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, explores issues of spirituality, AIDS, Washington politics, homosexuality and healing. Laura Sewell If you have seen this powerful drama, contact Sewell at the theater by calling 476-0594, Ext. 225 or writing her at Zachary Scott Theatre Center, 1510 Toomey Road, Austin 78704. Your comments may be selected to be included in education packets or mailers sent to Zach backers and for general publicity purposes. Look for "Angels in America" to be on stage in April.

I need an address for Betty White. I want to share remembrances of her late husbaild, Allen Ludden, who took over classes I was teaching at Austin High School when I was drafted in 1942. Guy B. Write to my favorite ex-Golden Girl in care of the WjUiam Morris Ql Four years ago my husband planted a chinquapin oak in our yard. We can't find a mature chinquapin oak anywhere.

We're beginning to wonder if our 8-foot tree is the most mature chinquapin oak in Austin. Could you find a few adult trees in the Austin area for us to see? Ms. Jay Hiller Several chinquapin oaks are alive and well in Zilker Park. Hard to spot as they have no leaves now. Sorry, yours is not the most mature one around as a 30-foot chinquapin oak (about 25 years old) is on the property of Messiah Lutheran Church (5701 Cameron Road, but just drive down Northridge Drive to view it).

Jim Rhoades, city arteorist, says For copies of Jane's book "Thanks for Asking!" a compilation of more than 600 favorite questions and answers call 288-6291 or (800) 424-6291..