The Evening Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • 36

'Ct TKgEVBiSS3 CUN TUESDAY, AUGUST 30. 1991 Black-owned cable network takes on MTV Steve McKerrow Mr. Rogers welcomes kids to school He's been a gentle uncle figure for generations of youngsters, so who better to offer some advice on bow best to approach that enormous event in a youngster's life, the first day of school? Fred Rogers of "Mr. Rogers' NeJgk-horhosd" this week is offering a series of programs aimed at helping preschoolers be more comfortable as they face that looming engagement in the first week of By Job Shiva Jr. Only two yean ago, Black Entertainment TetevWoa founder Bob Johnson teemed something of a pariaa in Hollywood.

Eif WaaUaftoB-baaed cable network's re-liance on tDswic Tideoa and other tiwufir-sire shows drew widespread criticiani from black prodoccn irbo ftccssBd Johnson os aqaaaderiBg the reaoercea of the nstJon's only bUck-owaed cable csanneL And Johnaoa aeemed eqaalty testy about Hollywood, say-Ins, 1 doal get excited sitting arosad with Bollywood types talking about program- Si September. The show can be seen at 10 a.m. weekdays on Maryland Public Television (channels 22 and 67). "Children need to see that many things in school are a lot like home," says Rogers, who we've had with a competitor." "Exdnsivity is nothing new to the television industry," countered MTV spokeswoman Carol Robinson. "Bill Cosby is on NBC; one network gets the World Series.

We pay good money to get exclusivity and that money is ssed to fuel video production." Robinson added that it was "premature" to speculate whether MTV will directly compete with EST music programming in IMS because "no one knows what the music climate will be like then." Johnson, however, is wasting no time covering his bets in Bollywood. Black Entertainment Television has always been a player in the cable and music industries, and now Johnson is trying to gain same prominence in film and television production and in the burgeoning pay-TV field. "BET has really proven effective both as a place to advertise black film and aa an outlet for artists' works," said Reginald Bud-lin, who directed the hit movie "Bouse Party." With cable expanding into more urban areas where African-Americans are concentrated, he added, "I dont see any reason why BET cant become one of the most popular and successful cable networks." Founded in 1980 with 15,000 of Johnson's money and a $500,000 investment from cable giant Tele-Communications BET has become a full-fledged, 24-hour cable network, with a $10 million studio in Washington and estimated annual revenue of $27.6 million in 1990, according to Paul Kagan Associates, a media research firm in Carmel, -Calif. Although some critics have called BET's television lineup of music videos, college sports, movies, news and talk shows uninspired, the network saw its prime-time ratings increase 15 percent to 0.6 in the first quarter of 1991, a period when ratings for ri the prcaaurc to produce big ratings quick-ty, the single biggest reason so many broadcast series are canceled after only short appearances. So what's up with "Veronica Clare" and Lifetime? The moody notr detective drama (Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

on the basic service), with Laura Robinson as a vampish part-time investigator, premiered July 23 as one of the female-oriented network's first prime-time series. Yet it is being pulled from the schedule as of Sept 24. Sheesh. Even "Hello, Larry" and "My Mother the Car" got more than nine episodes. Although somewhat sluggish in early outings, Media Monitor thought the show bad some promise.

Lifetime spokesman Alex Wagner says, however, that "Veronica Clare" will be reworked and that the network is still committed to the show. "We're shutting down to address ere- ative concerns, the idea of rewriting," he says, noting that early ratings for the show were pretty respectable. NEW DIGS WBFF-Channel 45 has finally fully occupied its new station headquarters, the former bottling plant on 41st Street at the foot of TV Bill, occupied since June only by the station's news operation. Other departments, however, moved in late last week. Northbound Jones Falls Expressway drivers can see the "station's new sign logo on the building, and the station has gained a new central telephone number in the moving process.

Viewers should now call Channel 45 at 467-4545. val MTV and VH-1 declined percent and IS percent, respectively, according to Kagan. The ratings improvement has not yet paid off for BETs three major backers Tele-Communications, Great American Broadcasting Co. and Time Warner Inc's pay cable unit. Borne Box Office, which together have $16 million invested in the network.

But with 20 films by black directors scheduled to be released this year and with black artists behind 10 of the top 20 albums on a recent Billboard ma ga line pop chart, Johnson thinks BET can financially benefit from the new wave of black creativity sweeping Bollywood. "That's why MTV is trying to encroach on our franchise," Johnson said. "Black urban sound is dominating the record charts. The same thing is happening in the film business. Young black directors are coming up with lots of exciting projects.

But we nave an advantage because BET's been there for black artists for a long time." If it were not for BET, a lot of artists would not have had any (video) exposure," said Ramon Bervey, a record industry publicist who represents Vanessa Williams and Al Jarreau, among others. "MTV has never really played much black music, until recently. I'm surprised that Bob Johnson didnt a harsher stand earlier." Dealing with rival MTV will not be easy. Larry Gerbrandt, senior analyst with Kagan Associates, believes MTV's expected launch of a full-time black music channel "may force BET back to its programming roots" and test "how much of an identity BET can create among its target audience." But an unf axed Johnson disagrees: "MTV recognizes that BET has the hottest music franchise. We can go head-to-head with MTV anytime." But with the recent boom in black filmmaking and black artists' prominence on the nation's record charts, Johnson, 45, baa been, busy mending his fences in Tinseltown and converting his detractors.

Be has launched a Angeles-based celebrity show, signed np former television actor-producer Tim Reid to produce TV dramas and teamed up with flamboyant pay-TV fight promoter Botch Lewis in a bid to cash in on the bBrgeoning pay-per-view TV market Johnson has also raised his profile battling MTV Networks which has signed contracts to air some black artists exclusively and which may directly challenge BET'S black music hegemony when it splits into three separately programmed music-video channels in mid-IMS. Hollywood is important to as in terms of buiinras relationships and in the creative sense," Johnson said. I've never lost sight of that Anybody in Bollywood knows they can pkk up the phone and call me." As for MTV, Johnson said, "We will not tolerate their use of monopoly power. This is the closest thing to a declaration of war that takes young view- ROGERS ers on a visit to a real school. In addition to the program, Rogers has produced a free booklet for parents, "When Your Child Goes to School." For a copy send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: School, co Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, 4802 Fifth Pittsburgh, Pa.

15213. A series of M-second public service messages featuring Rogers addressing the same questions can also be seen on PBS stations this month. CASES CLOSED? One of the attractions of cable television is its supposed ability to "narrowcast" programming to more specific audiences than the broadcast networks. In turn, that reduces tonight LOCAL RwfCUw 91 It Infant disappears from an overturned car; Elvis' birthday burdens a Memphis trauma center, emergency operator helps a choking woman, (r) (cc) In stereo. OOD 9 8pm Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers.

(Live) 9 1:30 p.m. Notional Tl. 1 Audubon Soclotys "Arctic Refuge: Vanishing Wilderness?" The oil industry's ventures -affect Eskimos and caribou. Narrator Meryl Street), (cc) In 1 rvi stereo. 9 9 p.m.

STREEP Coach! Christine tries to reconcile Luther 7:30 8:00 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 Wheel of Fortune JeoparcM Oriolee on Peck I Baoeoril: BriMrnore Ctlole it Toxae Ranger New Tontgnt jT NBC Now FamrFeud Mattock In trie Heat ot the Nipht Lew A Order News Tonight jj Coaby A Curront Affair Movie: ftemo WWiam: Tne AoVenture Begirw' Now Stud Reagan TT Wheel of Fortune Jeoperdyl FulHouao I Who' trie Boss? Rooearmo I Coach tWrtysornetrting Now Nlghtline ij Entartrinmant Inelde EdWon Matlock In trie Heat of the Night I Law Order New Tonight jfT CBS New Emartelnment Rescue 911 Movie: "WTien He's Not Stranger' Now: Peterson Arenk Hardcopy FemHyFeud Recue911 Movie: When He' Not Strangor" Now Trie Boss? ABC Now Entertainment FulHou Who's the Boss? Roseanne I Coach I tMrrytomethlng Now NtgrrtHne New Who's the Boss? "Rescue 91 1 Movie: "When He's Not i Stranger I Now Exile Night Court Cheer Odd Couple Baseball: Bammcre Orioles at Texas Ranger 1 Connection i MacNellLarirer NewsHour 1 Baby Panda I National Audubon Society I The Moody Blues: Legend of a Band i Cheers Baseball: Ptttaouroh Pirate at Philadelphia Phillies AraenloHall I Reagan i Movie: "Red Sun" New ArsentoHaH 0 Wheel of Fortune Jeoperdyl Full House Who the Boss? I Roseanne I Coach thlrrysomethlno New Nlghtline i The Judge News Movie: The Haunting of JuHa' Crazy Like a Fox Mr. Ed Paid Prog. Mama' Family Amen Movie: "Anchor A weigh Three' Compaq The Roper 87-22 Buelna Report WHd America Dr. Bemle Slegel: Love, Medicine A Miracle I Infant Skull Surgery AtE WWIdSurvtyal World War I Joe Louis: For All Time I Montreux Jazz Festival 1990 imorovTonrte An Evening at the Improv CBN 8carecrowAMr.KIng Movie: "Who's Got the Actjon?" The 700 Club Scarecrow A Mr. King CNN Monoyline Croeeflre Prtmenows Larry King Uvel I World New Sport MonoyHne OBN "Looney.

Looney, (6:30) I Walt DUnoy I Amor. Teacher I Movie: "The Hound of the Baskervllles' I Ozale A Harriet I Movie ESPN SportaCanter I Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates at PhiladetpNa Phiiiies Baaebal: CalHornto Anpris at Oakland A's HBO Movir KruT Movie: "The Freshman" Movie: "The Godfather" HTS Hot Sport Best of Pro Beach VoHevball Golf: Scandinavian Masters Hkght 1 Soorta Talk SportsBeot I Volevball UF Tracey Utman Duet I A. Law 1 Confessions I Hidden Room Veronica Ctare: Phoebe I Spenser For Hire MAX Movie: Took Who's Talking' Movie: "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" Movie: Tie Me Upl Tie Me Downf MTV Comedy Saturday Night Buzz Block MTV Prime Most Wanted Rock Brie Comedy CM) MTV NtCK NwpectorQadgal Looney Tunes MorkAMIndy I Bewitched I Get Smart I Dragnet Alfred Hitchcock Qreen Acres Mr. Ed 2-Night 8HO "Rod Balloon" lutfyDucklmg Movie: "An Innocent Man" Movie: "Sweet Charity" TMC Movie: "Dad" Movie: "Stella" Movie: -Metamorphosis' I Movie TNT Bug Bunny (8:30) Movie: "Paradise' Movie: The Love Machine" U8A MacQyver Murder. She Wrote I Boxing: Rlddick Bowe vs.

Bruce Seidon. Heavywelohts Crime Story WOR KateAAWe I Baseball: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets News 1 Switch jjJJBS -PMljA'ntaBnyes at ClrictrirMej3Basebatl: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds (Time approximate! I "Out-of-Town" and a long-lost friend. (Part 1 of 2) (r) (cc) In stereo. CD 0:30 p.m.

Low OrdOTt The investigation of a preschooler's death leads to the crack-addicted mother and ber boyfriend, a disreputable attorney, (r) (cc) In stereo. CD 3D 10 p.m. ANDRESS -Red Sun" (1971) Charles Bronson, Ursula An-dress. An outlaw and a samurai team up to recover loot and a stolen ceremonial sword in the Old West. P.M.

Anchors Aweigh" (1945) Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly. Two sailors on leave in Hollywood help an actress get her big break. Kelly dances with Jerry the cartoon mouse. 8:00 P.M. -Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins" (1985) Fred Ward, Joel Grey.

A secret agent shuts down a defense contractor with his Korean martial-arts mentor and a major. CD 8:00 P.M. -The Haunting of Julia" (1976) Mia Farrow, Keir Dullea. Her husband's cut throat and her boyfriend's bathtub-shock make a woman think her house is haunted. 89 8:00 P.M.

-When He's Not a Stranger" (1989) Annabel!) Gish, John Terlesky. A California college freshman seeks justice after being raped in a dorm by a guy she know. LOCAL: WMAI1 (NSC) BaN. WBAL (CSS) Be. I SS W0Z (ABC) Bad ffi WBCJNBC) D.C.

(D WTTOOnd.) DC. GD WJLA (ABC) O.C. UU WOAL (NBC) Lan. GD WDVM (CBS) O.C. W) WKJL And.) Brit WBFF And.) Baft.

WNUV (Ind.) Brit WPtW Bait WMOT (ABC) Sal. IB WBOC (CBS) Sri. WDCA And.) O.C. WAPB Anna. aWETA D.C.

OWPWT (CBS) York CABLE: ARTS-Art C8H-Chrttian Broadcast CNN-Cable New DSN-Oisney ESPN-Sports HBO-Homa Box Offlca HTS-Home Team Sport UFE-LrtatJma MAX-Cinemax NtCK-Ntcxelodaon SHO-Snowtima SUP-Super TV TatC-Movte Channel USA-USA Network TV WTBS-Attarrta TV (WOR) (SHO) 9:00 Tonight 8:00 CABLE MOVIEG amoroh 6:30 "Sweet Charity" (TMC) MovfOa "Metamorphosis" (1990). (TNT) Movie. "The Love Machine" (1971). 10:30 77 OOD NBC Newt, (oc) I G) CSS New, (oe) Oriole on Back. (J) Qf newu 911.

Infant disappears from an overturned car; Elvis' birthday burden a Mem-phi trauma center; emergency operator help a choking woman, (r) (cc) stereo. OODffl FuH House. D.J. sneaks out of the house to meet a guy and get in trouble, (r) (cc) In stereo. eMRVOfwl wa ajOUe ABC New, (oe) 0(091 Movie.

"When He's Not a Stranger (1989). Rooaanne. Roseanne wants Darlene to dress Nke a girl for a school (r) (cc) In stereo. CD CD the of the Night Tibb and Jamison try to convince Harriet DoLong's son not to give up, following his father's death sentence, (r) (cc) In stereo. National Audubon Society.

"Arctic Refuge: Vanishing Wilderness?" The OH industry's ventures affect Eskimos and caribou. Narrator: Meryl Streep. (cc) In stereo. (AAE) Improv Ton ft. (ESPN) BeeobalL (HTS) Washington Pott Sport Talk.

(MTV) RockHn. (r) (NiCK) Breen Acres. -(WOR) "Red Sun' (1971). (C8N) New Zorre, (oc) (DON) Movte. "The Looney, Looney, Looney Bug Bunny Movie" (1981).

(HTS) POA Oorf Almanac (UFE) Shop TS Too Drop. (MAX) Movie. "Look Who' Talking' (1989). (MTV) ReekSjie. I ATT QrimE uei me riCTufv.

11:00 OOC)CD(D(I) News. 1 1 News, (oc) II Amnio HaJL(r)(ec) Throe's Company. CD Stud. (AAE) Montreux Jaa Festival 1990. (CNN) Larry King UveL (DSN) Movie.

The Hound of the Baskerville" (1988). (HBO) Movie. The Freshman (1990). (LIFE) Confession of Crime. logs Bunny, who's tho Boosf.

'Anchor Aweigh" (1945). OQ Dr. Bornle Hotel: Love, Mee The authorsurgeon discusses the physiological effects of attitude in chronic illness and recovery, (cc) GDCD Matlock. A couple (Am Dusenberry, AHan Royal) are accused of murdering tho surrogate who promised them her baby, then reneged. Guest: John Saxon, (r) (cc) In stereo.

CD Movie. "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins' (1985). Odd Couple. Oscar blames Felix for his developing ulcer. The Haunting of Julia' (1976).

n(DO Wheal of Fortune. (NICK) (Mt smart. (USA) I Hani Copy, (r) I ABC New, (oe) I MASH. 9:30 (AAE) An Evening at the Improv. (CBN) Scarecrow A Mrs.

King. (CNN) Sports Tonight (DSN) OastoAHorrlot Mama' Family. Si NkriiMyBuslfi CD fD Coach. Christine tries to reconcile Luther and a long-lost friend. (Part 1 of 2) (HBO) I Hbo'i Got the AcMonr" (1962) Dean Martin, Lana turner.

A lawyer's wife secretly becomes his bookie to save their money; then he starts to win. (CBN) 4:00 P.M. "An Innocent Man" WW (1989) Tom Seileck. F. Murray Abraham, Railroaded to prison, a family man learns from another inmate how to survive; then he gets out.

R' (SHO) 8:00 P.M. Stella" (1990) Bette Midler, John Goodman. A working-class woman raises her out-of-wedlock daughter, then lets her go to her rich father. PG-13' (TMC) 8:00 P.M. (1982) Willie Aames, Phoebe Cates.

Stranded teens discover an oasis and each other in the late-1800s Sahara. R' P.M. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" (1988) Lar Park Lincoln, Terry Kiser. A psychic teen's psychiatrist sends her and her mother to Crystal Lake, home of hockey-masked Jason. R' (cc) (MAX) 8:30 P.M.

Tho Hound of the Beaker-vllles' (1988) Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go to Dartmoor to save Sir Henry from a killer-dog family curse. PSN) 90 P.M. Tho Freshman" (1990) Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick.

A first-year Now York film student meets a "Godfather look-alike and becomes his errand boy. PG' (cc) "Tie Me Upl Tie Me Downl" (1990) Victoria Abril, Antonio Banderat. An ox-mental patient In Spain finds his porno-star dream girl and ties her to her bed. Directed by Pedro Almodovar. NC-17'(MAjQ 1060 P.M.

wool Charity" (1969) Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin. Love's a dream to a hostess In a seedy New York dance hall. Directed by Bob Fosse. From the Noll Simon NSC Iwm (oc) TMttlt (CC) Gene le Brock, Catherine Bara-nov. A genetic scientist experiments on himself and eventually turns into a Tyrannosaurus rex.

R' (TMC) 10-00 P.M. The Love Machine' (1971) John Phillip Law, Dyan Cannon. A TV-network board chairman's wife pushes a local newsman to power. From the Jacqueline Susann novel. R' (TNT) 10:05 P.M.

The Godfather" (1972) Marlon Brando, Al Pad-no. Sons try to please their father, crime boss VTto Corleone. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Oscars for best picture and actor Brando. R' (cc) (HBO) P.M.

"Tho Out-of-Towners" (1970) Jack Lemmon, Sandy Dennis. An Ohio businessman and his wife fly to New York and have nothing but trouble for tho next 24 hours. G' (WTBS) 1140 P.M. "Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines" (1965) Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles. An American vies with an Englishman for a lady and the load in a crowded 1910 Lon-don-to-Paris air race.

G' (DISN) 11:30 P.M. Drugstore Cowboy" (1989) Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch. An addict, his wife and another couple steal tho drugs they live for in 1971 Portland, Ore. Directed by Gus Van Sent Jr. R' (TMC) 11:38 P.M.

-Angel Town" (1990) Olivier Gruner, Theresa Saldana. A French kickboxer protects a widow and her son from gangs while attending college in Los Angeles. R' (MAX) 11:48 P.M. Who's Got the Action?" (1962) Dean Martin, Lana Turner. A lawyer's wife secretly becomes his bookie to save their money; then ho starts to win.

(CBN)Mdnlght Something Wild" (1961) Carroll Baker. Ralph Meeker. A rape victim is saved from suicide by a simple-minded mechanic who gives her love. (Tiff) UdOAJM. (r) (cc) In stereo.

The Godfather' (1972). (HTS) Booting weekly. (UFE) Sponsors For Hire. (MTV) Half -Hour Comedy. (MCK) Mr.

Ed. Mgftt v9w)IX (HTS) (UFE) (NtCK) Dragnet (USA) Crime Story. 10:00 (AAE) Joe Leuki For All Time. (CBN) Movie. "Who's Got the (1962).

(CNN) PrfMOftOWw (oc) (DON) Beet of Walt Disney Present. (WUH) WocM of Sijfwfvile (C8N) ScvaTMfvvj ft Mrs Kltifa CNN) fVtwMytlMAa (ESPN) SfWrtevCwritfo (HBO) Movie. (WTBS) (1970). :) uiuaMoe) KruS" (1983). "The Out-of-Towners" pay woes.

Bun Block. (SjlB). (HIS) HM vfWftv UFE) TFbWwV UMtvMRe 11:30 I GDCD The TonarM Show. OOD mirtyswtiething. Agency crises and helping administer Gary's estate pud Michael in opposite directions, (r) (cc) In stereo.

nCDNews. UU hrfant 8ku Surgery. Or. Unton Whrtaker and Luis Schut perform reconstructive surgery on an infant with plagiocophaly at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. GDCD Law A Order.

The Investigation of a preschooler's death loads to the crock-addicted mother and her boyfriend, a disreputable attorney, (r) (cc) In stereo. The Moody Blue! Legend of a "Flrehead" (1991) Christopher Plummer, Chris Lemmon. A U.S. scientist must stop his creation: a telekinetic Soviet defector with laser eyes. Midnight The Baron" (1980) Calvin Lockhart, Richard Lynch.

Mobsters send a man to collect from a Hollywood filmmaker who owes them money. 0 Midnight 'Sweet Dot" (1989) Treat Williams, Joanna Pacula. An Insurance investigator tracks a fraud to Paris, where three beauties vie to be his lover. 0 1:00 A.M. Fate Is tho Hunter" (1964) Glenn Ford, Rod Taylor.

An airline's flight director seeks the cause of a crash blamed on his dead pilot buddy. A.M. -Terror Train" (1980) Ben Johnson, Jamie Leo Curtis. A slasher boards a tor's train for a fraternity costume j) arty featuring a magic act. 2:30 A.M.

-Partners" (1982) Ryan O'Neal, John Hurt. A gay policeman and a straight policeman set up housekeeping to catch a killer in West Hollywood. CD 3:00 A.M. -Dawn Rider" (1935) John Wayne, Marlon Burns. A cowboy tracks tho gang that, killed his father.

CD 3:00 JLM. Dawn Rider" (1935) John Wayne, Marion Burns. A cowboy tracks the gang that killed his father. 4:00 A.M. I ffbOf thO aOOOlf a Imfil tekthtJIne.

(eel The Hod Britoon (1956). (USA) MacOrvar. (WOR) KatoAAMe. "An Innocent Man' (1989). (TMC) MOvtOa StoKe' (1990).

(TNT) Movie. "ParaoW (1982). (USA) Murder, She Wrote, (oc) Tho Rococo ObO ROfl ROOfOII 7sM W(ec) Wae9 JwflfeVwH BffwMwariMiMfit ToiilBM (oc) OO (CNN) (DTSN) MASH. tWM Amerlea. (oe) Member chronicle the bond from the '60 end perform "Night in Whit "No More Llo.

"Vour Wildest Dreams and "The Other Side of Life." In stereo. CpWfitM AffMTt (00) Baltimore Orioles at Texas Ranger. (Live) i (SO Who's the Boosr. In the eye of the IRS, Tony and Angela are wed. (rccyn stereo.

(DSN) Amertoow Toaohor. (SiBO). (MAX) Movto. "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New (At) Wert War I. (CNN) CfOOOflfv Those Magnificent Men in Their Fly-.

Ing Machines' (1965). (HTS) Beet of Pro Beach VoltoybaU. (MAX) Movie. Angel TwrnnO). (HCK) AMOfteO 29N(M w4Q MoolOo "Druptore Cowboy (1989).

(1 i MT8) Beat of Pre (CBN) The70BJBMfc. (UFE) VoiojuIoo OofO. 'Tie Me Upl TleM Downl" (1990). (MTV) Meet Wanted. (MCK) ANred HMoteeoelu WWW 1 WW OAILY SOAP OPERA REVIEWS CaH 1-900-329-7876 95 CBfrta oach iriinuts touch-tooa phones only fMTVT arrv I 00 Miwiy Tone.

lNvCI) wLayrifVvlvMOj (SHO) U0tr BoeUms. (7J8). (WTBS) I.