Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 197

Degemben13: 1.998 SHOW WORLD buns Austin American A nilauA -Statesman Ex-Austinite comes full circle I Arthel Neville hopes 'Fox Files' will cap her return to hard-news reporting BY ALLAN JOHNSON Chicago Tribune Because of her past experiences on television, it would be easy to cast a suspicious glance Arthel Neville's way when watching the Fox network's newsmagazine "Fox Files," But Neville assures: "I am a serious journalist, and that's what people don't necessarily know." It's understandable how some 'Fox Files' 8 p.m. Thursday FOX, KTBC Channel 7 could get the impression that Neville might not fit with "Fox Files," which airs at 8 p.m. Thursdays on KTBC Channel 7. Neville is known around the country for her work on a variety of entertainment news outlets, including co-host of the syndicated newsmag "Extra." Before that, she was a reporter for Entertainment Television. More forgettable was the 13 weeks she spent last year as host of the entertainment talk series "'The Arthel Fred Show" with Los Angeles television sports personality Fred Roggins.

So when Neville has college types asking how to become an entertainment reporter, she tells them a particular part of that equation has to be nailed down first. "The optimum word there is 're" says Neville, 36. "You still have to know how to write and you need to know how to tell stories and produce your pieces You have to have the skills and experience to do it, whether you're a medical reporter or a political reporter or entertainment reporter or a hard news reporter." Neville spent the first half of her 14 years in journalism as a hard news reporter, working general assignment gigs at stations in Austin (with KVUE Channel 24), and her hometown of New Orleans. Her first TV news job came as a 21- -old junior at the University of Texas in Austin, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Neville notes that even at where she was from 1991 until "Extra" came calling in 1994, stories had to be worked just as if one were covering a fire, crime or political piece.

"If you don't understand the process of doing that job, you're going to be lost," Neville says. Neville, whose father and uncles make up the Grammy-winning Neville Brothers, is pleased to be back doing hard news reporting for "Fox Files." Neville also will be an anchor for the Fox News Channel. But what you won't see is Neville relegated to the celebrity beat. "I don't want to be pegged into having only the entertainment ZACHARY SCOTT THEATRE CENTER Through Dec. 20 New Songs! New Sets! At The Paramount Theatre New Choreography! 713 Congress Ave.

New Costumes ROCK and Austin's Rockin' This New Season! Annual, Holiday Wigs Spectacular! CHRISTMAS PARTY "The Biggest, Cool The Rock-N-Soul Holiday Revue! Yule Party Around!" CREATED AND DIRECTED BY DAVE STEAKLEY The Austin Chronicle Rock around the Christmas Tree with BEEHIVE, their favorite fellas, and ZACH's acclaimed "This Show Will revue of rock, soul holiday hits Rock Your World!" 70's! Austin -Statesman from the 50's, 60's Hurry, -Sat. at Final 8, Sunday Week! Now On at 3 Stage! Next Thurs, Kirk R. Tuc See it Today Photo: Austin American- Statesman WARNER CABLE Former Austinite and KVUE Channel turns to her news roots with pieces or only the fluff pieces," says Neville, who before joining Fox took jobs as host of a special for the movie "Lethal Weapon 4," did Academy Awards coverage for Dick Clark Productions and even acted in the theater spoof "Talk Show Live!" No matter what path she took in 24 reporter Arthel Neville, right, recorrespondent Chris Cuomo on 'Fox getting back to her news roots, Neville asserts that she is at the place where she belongs in life. "I feel that all of this, all of it, is a blessing from God and He gets all the glory. And that's why it works out so well.

And that's why I'm where I need to be when I need to be THIS YEAR, FORGET THE SPEND THE HOLIDAY WITH SOME REAL NUTS! Buy 2 tickets ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST to Tuna Christmas and JOE JASTON to Red, White, Tuna and get a SEARS WILLIAMS FREE VIDEO of Greater Tuna A or A Tuna Christinas $30 value for free TUNA OF DEC. thru 29 "IT'S A HOOT! AND THE CAST IS TWO HOOTS!" New York Times "IF YOU LIKE SOMEONE, BUY THEM IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, GET THEM TICKETS TO A TUNA CHRISTMAS!" Austin American Statesman DON'T MISS THIS TONY AWARD -NOMINATED BROADWAY COMEDY HIT! Tues, Sat. 8pm, Sat Sun. Matinees 2pm. Sun, Everting 7:30 Tickets available at the Paramount Box Office and STAR Ticket Outlets.

Paramount Theatre For Information Call 472-5470 A- 469-SHOW (7469) 1-(888) 597-STAR Tickets: at all Albertson's, CHARGE ROCKIN' See It Today at 2:301 Waterloo Records, The Paramount Theatre Box Office or TICKETS BY PHONE! 469-7469 AND GRITS!" THE LAST NIGHT OF Ballyhoo By Alfred Uhry Directed by Joe York The author of DRIVING MISS DAISY scores again with this delightful, new comedy set in 1939 Atlanta during BALLYHOO, the elite event of the Jewish social season. Witty and romantic! Now On Stage for the Holidays! Tickets: $19 $24 at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. ZACH's Kleberg Stage "The Perfect Yuletide Gift For You!" Smith, Austin American -Statesman TUCK KIRK The Santaland Diaries PHOTO: by David Sedaris Directed by Dave Steakley Sedaris' hysterical account of "The Happy Elf" at Macy's and other Sedaris stories live, on stage! Now on ZACH's Arena Stage thru January 3rd. Thurs.

and Fri. at 8, Sat. at 5:30 8, Sun. at 2:30 Tickets: $20 Hurry, performances selling quickly! SANTALAND BALLYHOO TICKETS CALL 476-0541. EXT: RIVERSIDE DR.

AT S. LAMAR ZACH ONLINE: ZACHSCOTT.COM.